VICTIMS ASSISTANCE

The Kiowa County Victims Assistance program provides the Residents with support, advocacy, and education in their time of need. Through intervention, advocacy, and education, the victim assistance program provides support to individuals in a manner that empowers them to recover from traumatic events.

The Kiowa County Victim Assistance program is staffed by dedicated victim advocates that help individuals who have been victimized or who have otherwise experienced trauma. Advocates are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to assist individuals and families with services such as:

• Crisis Intervention
• Criminal Justice system support and advocacy
• Information/Referral to community resources
• Education on the dynamics of victimization and trauma

For more information about the program or if you need assistance with trauma or crime related issues, please contact our office at 719-438-5411

Support

Becoming a victim of crime is probably one of the most stressful events in a person’s life. Within the first few minutes, hours or even days after the crime a victim, and those around them, are likely to experience physical, emotional or financial harm that is difficult for them to cope with. In the aftermath of a victimization and/or traumatic event such as the loss of a loved one, our advocates are here to help. We provide:

• Crisis Intervention  (either at the scene of the crime or by phone)
• Emotional Support  (intended to empower individual recovery after a traumatic event)
• Grief Support  (to those whose loved ones have died)

Advocacy

Once a crime is reported, the person who was victimized becomes part of the criminal justice system. Navigating the criminal justice system can be a confusing and sometimes frustrating experience. To help victims through their experience, our team of advocates is there to help victims in many ways:

Ensuring the rights of victim’s, including the right to be treated with fairness, dignity and respect, as outlined in the Colorado Victims’ Right’s Amendment C.R.S. Section 24-4.1-302(1)

To help identify available community resources for those who have been victimized and for those who have experienced a traumatic event.

Education

We recognize that crime not only affects the individual it was perpetrated against, but it also affects the community as a whole. As such, our victim assistance program works diligently to provide community education which focuses on victim issues and the needs of those in crisis. Community education is multi-faceted and ranges from:

• Training of local law enforcement on victims’ rights legislation and victims’ right’s amendment
• Assisting schools with intervention in the aftermath of school crises
• Facilitating community wide campaigns during National Domestic Violence Awareness Month and National Crime Victims’ Rights Awareness Week

From Crime to Recovery

Although every person’s experience in the aftermath of a crime or traumatic event is different, the recovery process can be extremely difficult. Recovering from the debilitating effects of physical, emotional and financial harm can feel overwhelming. Our goal is to assist individuals with rebuilding their lives’ after a crime or traumatic event. It is important for you to remember that experiencing reactions such as shock, disbelief, anger, fear, frustration, confusion, guilt, shame, or sorrow is normal. You should also remember YOU CAN RECOVER.

For additional resources click contact us

Monday-Friday

Advocates are available to assist you 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

Resource and Information Center