BRONX DISTRICT ATTORNEY UNVEILS NEW SATELLITE OFFICE FOR THE CRIME VICTIMS ASSISTANCE IN COMMUNITY BOARD 12
Bronx District Attorney Robert T. Johnson, and John W. Gillis, Director of the United States Department of Justice, Office for Victims of Crime, today in conjunction with National Crime Victims Rights Week, welcomed the residents of Community District 12 to the opening of a new comprehensive Crime Victims’ Assistance Unit satellite office designed to decentralize victim services, by moving them closer to those in need.
The satellite office of the Crime Victims Assistance Unit, located at 4101 White Plains Road, a component of the District Attorney’s Office Crime Victims Assistance Unit (CVAU), established in 1975, will primarily service residents in the neighborhoods of Baychester, Edenwald, Fishbay, Olinville, Wakefield, Williamsbridge and Woodlawn Heights. The CVAU will provide essential, comprehensive support services to victims of all crimes.
Under the direction of Beth Ann Holzhay, Director of the Crime Victims’ Assistance Unit, the satellite staff consists of a Program Coordinator, Victim Advocate, and a Crisis Intervention Advocate. An Elder Abuse Coordinator will also periodically visit the satellite office.
Crime Victims seeking assistance will have an initial face-to-face interview with the CVAU and then a plan will be developed to address the victim’s needs. Based on need, victims and their families will be put in touch with a larger network of City, State and community services. Services include, but are not limited to: crisis intervention, court accompaniment, emergency placement, individual and group counseling, community education and training.
Mr. Johnson said: "Providing essential services to victims of crime continues to be a priority of the DA’s Office. The opening of this satellite office will provide residents of Community District 12, and the surrounding neighborhoods with greater access to an expansive network of service professionals".
Mr. Gillis said: "The Bronx District Attorney’s Office has done an exceptional job in implementing this initiative to serve victims in the Bronx". He added that the Bronx site is one of six sites around the country that are part of a national demonstration project, the Urban High Crime Neighborhood Initiative, funded by the Office for Victims of Crime, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice.
Funding for this project is being provided by a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice Office for Victims of Crime (OVC). In addition, the CVAU is collaborating with the following stake holders in providing services: Office of the Bronx Borough President, North Central Bronx Hospital, Our Lady of Mercy Hospital, Wakefield Taxpayers Association, New York City Police Department (47th Precinct), Uptown Express, Edenwall / Gunhill Neighborhood Center, Bronx Independent Living Services, E.A.R.S, Community Board 12, Gloria Wise Girls & Boys Club, N.Y.C. Department of Probation, Unity Temple of Peace and Langsam Property Service Corp.
Other components of the project include programs such as the Multidisciplinary Team on Child Physical and Sexual Abuse, the Elder Abuse Multidisciplinary Task Force and coalitions of representatives from various agencies that help to improve communication among participants.
For more information on this program please contact Beth Ann Holzhay, Director CVAU at 718-590-2114 or visit our web-site at bronxda.nyc.gov
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