Crime Victims Assistance Unit

     CVAU currently has 16 staff members: the Unit Director; a Deputy Director; two Supervising Crime Victim Advocates, including one who serves as the Multidisciplinary Team Coordinator; seven Crime Victim Advocates; one Rape Victim Advocate; two certified Therapists; an Elder Abuse Coordinator; and a Secretary/Receptionist. The unit provides essential support and services to victims of all crimes, but works most closely with homicide survivors and with victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse or assault.

     Crime victims have multiple needs and must be offered assistance in recovering from the trauma associated with the crime. CVAU addresses the emotional and concrete needs of clients through a combination of supportive counseling and other direct services and referrals.

     Services are provided at no cost to the client and no appointment is necessary. Victims and witnesses are usually referred to CVAU by assistant district attorneys. These referrals may take place at any stage of a case, but most frequently occur at the victim’s initial contact with the District Attorney’s Office. CVAU also receives referrals from other sources including the NYPD, hospitals, public assistance centers and other public and private agencies.

     Following an initial interview, CVAU formulates a plan that addresses the victim’s needs, and also puts victims and their families in touch with the larger network of city, state and community services. Although some clients need only one appointment, most require numerous contacts and services to address a variety of issues.

     The District Attorney’s Crime Victims Assistance Unit made nearly 17,500 service contacts with victims and witnesses during 2005.

Crime Victims Assistance Unit, Organizational Glossary
Crime Victims Assistance Unit, Your Day In Court

Crime Victims Assistance Unit Satellite Office

     CVAU provides comprehensive services to crime victims. The location of the unit, in the District Attorney's Office on 161st Street in the South Bronx, is generally convenient because of its proximity to the court. But for some crime victims who reside in the northern end of the county, transportation is a problem.

     In September 2002, we received a one-year planning grant from the federal government for an innovative project to bring services closer to crime victims in the North Bronx. We received additional grants in 2003, 2004 and 2005 that supported the program's implementation. Under this Urban High Crime Neighborhood Initiative, the District Attorney’s Office works with an Advisory Committee composed of representatives from law enforcement, schools, hospitals, faith-based organizations, local media, local government, youth services, child welfare and community-based organizations to tailor the type of services and their delivery to the needs of the community.

     In late 2003 the satellite office opened in Community District 12 on White Plains Road, and additional staff were hired in 2004. CVAU staff provide services from this office similar to those offered at the District Attorney's main office. During 2005 staff provided 2,317 services to clients at the satellite office. These clients were victims of crimes such as domestic violence, assault, and elder abuse.

     A need for additional space resulted from the program’s expansion. Consequently, in 2005 renovation began on unoccupied third floor space donated rent-free by the City at the building that houses Community Board 12. These renovations are now complete and were funded largely by the federal grant.

     The Advisory Committee continues to meet regularly and has developed a referral network linking service providers in the community to clients for those services that cannot be provided by CVAU staff.