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Article: It’s National Crime Victims’ Rights Week
Apr
Continued from newsletter…
In addition to dedicated programming, PEI Kids provides supportive services like court preparation and accompaniment to help children testify against their offenders during litigation. We provide U-visa support for nonresident children who are crime victims. Congress created this non-immigrant visa in 2000 with passage of the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act. The legislation strengthens the ability of law enforcement to investigate and prosecute cases of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking while also protecting non-citizen victims so they feel safe assisting law enforcement and testifying to prosecute these crimes.
PEI Kids is the only area agency providing this specialized complement of counseling and support services for child victims. To learn about the full range of Intervention services we provide for children and youth, visit the Intervention page of our website.
Full article text
April 18 – 24, 2021 is National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW), so this edition of Postings focuses on our work serving young crime victims in our community.
The 2021 NCVRW theme emphasizes the importance of building the trust of victims and survivors of crime, collaborating with victim service providers and allied professionals, and engaging communities in addressing enduring and emerging forms of crime victimization.
PEI Kids has two programs dedicated specifically to serving young victim of crime: the Council Against Youth Violence (CAYV) and our Crisis Intervention for Child Victims of Sexual Abuse program.
1. Established in 2020, our Council Against Youth Violence (CAYV) project was one of only ten sites selected nationally to launch this Department of Justice initiative addressing victims of gang-related violence and crime. Based on a multidisciplinary team (MDT) response model, we’ve formed a collaborative with local community-based organizations to deliver direct services for young victims including case management, mental health counseling, emergency shelter, victims compensation, educational support, life-skills training, and other specialized services for young crime victims, age 12-17.
To learn more about the Council Against Youth Violence, see the press release and program brochure.
2. Established in 1987, our Crisis Intervention for Child Victims of Sexual Abuse program has helped more than 6,000 child victims heal from the trauma of sexual abuse using one-on-one Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT). Through this program, we serve some of the youngest crime victims in the region, with some clients as young as 3 years old.
Over 250 cases of child sexual abuse are reported each year in Mercer County; and the County Prosecutor’s Office refers 98% of these cases to PEI Kids for immediate assessment and treatment.
Click here to learn more about our Crisis Intervention counseling program.
Additional services. In addition to dedicated programming, PEI Kids provides supportive services like court preparation and accompaniment to help children testify against their offenders during litigation. We provide U-visa support for nonresident children who are crime victims. Congress created this non-immigrant visa in 2000 with passage of the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act. The legislation strengthens the ability of law enforcement to investigate and prosecute cases of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking while also protecting non-citizen victims so they feel safe assisting law enforcement and testifying to prosecute these crimes.
PEI Kids is the only area agency providing this specialized complement of counseling and support services for child victims. To learn about the full range of Intervention services we provide for children and youth, visit the Intervention page of our website.
Mobile Apps for crime victims. The US Dept. of Justice has identified several innovative, user-friendly apps to help crime victims with important tasks, like collecting evidence, reporting remotely to law enforcement, finding urgent shelter, and more.
You can review and download these free apps from the Office for Victims of Crime website.
If you, or someone you know may be a victim of crime, click here for Crime Victim Services & Referral Information.
To learn more about National Crime Victims Rights Week, view the 2021 NCVRW Theme Video.