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Victim-Witness Assistance Program

How to get help [ TOP ]

If you have been a victim of a crime and need assistance, you can call our toll free number, (800) 380-3811. A Victim Services Representative will speak with you and determine how we can assist you. Program services are provided free of charge, and there is no legal citizenship requirement to receive assistance.

The Victim-Witness Assistance Program also receives case referrals from law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, the Coroner's Office, mortuaries, hospitals, and social service agencies. The victim, or the victim's family, is contacted and an assessment of emergency and long-term needs is conducted. To refer a victim for services, call (800) 380-3811.

Victim Rights in California [ TOP ]

Victims of crime and the families of homicide victims have the right to:

  • Know the current status of your court case.
  • Be assisted if called as a witness.
  • Attend all sentencing proceedings.
  • Speak in person; address the court in writing; or be represented by an attorney at the time of felony sentencing to express your views concerning the defendant, the crime, and its effects on you and your family.
  • Have the court order restitution from the convicted person.
  • Request the Board of Prison Terms to provide notice of any hearing to review or consider parole eligibility or parole-setting for prisoner(s) in your case. You must keep the Board of Prison Terms informed of your current address if you wish to be notified.
  • Speak personally; submit a letter, tape recording or video tape; or send an attorney to the parole hearing to express your views about the crime and the person responsible.

Program Services Available [ TOP ]

The following mandatory and optional services, mandated by the Office of Emergency Services, are provided:

Mandatory Services

  • Crisis Intervention
  • Emergency Assistance
  • Resource and Referral Assistance
  • Follow-up Assistance
  • Property Return Assistance
  • Orientation to the Criminal Justice System
  • Victim Impact Statement Assistance
  • Court Escort/Court Support
  • Case Status/Case Disposition Information
  • Notification of Family/Friends
  • Employer Notification
  • Victim of Crime Claims Assistance
  • Restitution Assistance

Optional Services

  • Creditor Intervention
  • Child Care Assistance
  • Witness Notification
  • Funeral Arrangement Assistance
  • Crime Prevention Information
  • Witness Protection Assistance
  • Temporary Restraining Order Information
  • Transportation Assistance
  • Court Waiting Area
  • Employer Intervention

Language Capabilities: Confidential language service available to translate all languages.

State Victim of Crime Compensation Program [ TOP ]

Under California law (Government Code Sections 13950-13966), qualifying victims of crime may receive financial assistance for losses resulting from a crime when they cannot be reimbursed by other sources. The Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board, administers the California's Crime Victim Compensation Program.

The following losses may be covered by the Program:

  • Medical/Dental
  • Mental Health Counseling
  • Wage/Income Loss
  • Financial Support
  • Funeral/Burial
  • Job Retraining

Personal property losses, including cash, are not eligible for reimbursement under the program. The program also cannot reimburse applicants for expenses related to the prosecution of an alleged perpetrator or compensate applicants for "pain and suffering."

However, losses not covered by the program may be recoverable, either through court-ordered restitution as a part of a convicted perpetrator's criminal sentence or through the enforcement of a judgment obtained in a civil lawsuit against the alleged perpetrator.

Who is eligible:

  • The victim of the crime who suffers physical and/or emotional injury or a survivor of a person who dies as a direct result of the crime.
  • Anyone legally dependant upon the victim for support.
  • Anyone who was present during the crime and who has a close relationship with the victim.
  • Anyone who must receive psychological treatment as a result of the crime or who should be included in the psychological treatment of the victim.
  • Anyone who takes legal responsibility and/or pays for a victim's medical or burial expenses.

To qualify:

  • The crime must be reported to law enforcement.
  • The victim must cooperate in the investigation and prosecution of any known suspects.
  • The victim must not have contributed to the events which lead up to the crime.

Victim-Witness Assistance Program staff can assist victims in filing Victims of Crime Compensation claims and can also provide information about other methods of loss recovery.

The District Attorney's Claims Verification Program, which receives its funding from the Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board is responsible for verifying and processing Victim of Crime Compensation Claims. It is contracted with the Board to process victim compensation claims each year. The claims process is fully automated. For more information, call toll free (800) 492-5944.

For more information concerning the Victim of Crime Compensation Program, you may contact the Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board at their toll-free number, (800) 777-9229. You may also access program information on the Internet at: http://www.vcgcb.ca.gov/.

Special Programs [ TOP ]

Special Emphasis Gang Program

The Special Emphasis Gang Program receives a special grant to assist innocent minority victims of gang crime in Central Judicial District and Compton/South L.A. The Program provides specialized, bilingual and bicultural victim services. Two Victim Service Representatives and one student worker provide crisis intervention, follow-up counseling, emergency assistance, court support and resource referrals, as well as in-service training to law enforcement agencies and community outreach. Staff orient victims in the court process, accompany them to court, update them on the progress of the court case, arrange transportation to court, and provide a safe waiting area in the courthouse. They also assist victims and witnesses with housing relocation referrals.

Specialized Units

In addition to providing comprehensive assistance to all victims of crime, the Program has assigned staff to work in specialized prosecutorial units in order to concentrate on the special needs of certain victim populations.

Victim Service Representatives are assigned to the Family Violence Prosecution Units in the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center (downtown Los Angeles), the Citrus Courthouse (West Covina), and the Rio Hondo Courthouse (El Monte). One staff person assists victims in the District Attorney's Child Abuse Unit in the District Attorney's Sex Crimes Division.

Elder Abuse Advocacy Outreach Program

Victim advocates in the Elder Abuse Advocacy Outreach Program are specially trained to assist elderly and dependent adult victims of crime. To receive assistance or information, please call (310) 727-6529, (323) 226-1472 or (213) 580-3287 or toll-free (800) 380-3811. The program operates under a grant from the Office of Emergency Services.

Special Events [ TOP ]

Victims' Rights Week

National Victim Rights Week is observed every April, with special activities organized by the Victim-Witness Assistance Program. The County Board of Supervisors presents a scroll to the District Attorney recognizing Victim Rights Week. Special awards are then given to individuals and organizations who have provided outstanding service to victims and witnesses of crime in Los Angeles County. Program volunteers are also recognized for their great contributions to the Program.

During Victim Rights Week, many of the Program’s staff organize events at their local victim centers to draw attention to the plight of victims and the services that are available to them.

Holiday Donations for Crime Victims

Each holiday season, the Victim-Witness Assistance Program in partnership with the Bureau of Crime Prevention and Youth Services spearheads the District Attorney's Annual Holiday Donations for Crime Victims campaign. The office-wide effort helps needy crime victims and their families throughout the county. District Attorney personnel assist in nominating victims and help raise money within the office. That money is used to complement corporate donations of toys, food and merchandise coupons to make holiday baskets for those families selected through the nomination process. Deliveries are then coordinated by the District Attorney's Bureau of Investigation and the Victim-Witness Assistance Program to arrive before Christmas.

Volunteer Opportunities [ TOP ]

The Victim-Witness Assistance Volunteer Program recruits, trains and places student and community volunteers, who work side-by-side with Victim Services Representatives in law enforcement stations and District Attorney offices. Volunteers play an integral role in providing  advocacy, clerical and court support and resource referrals.

How to apply

Volunteers must be in reasonably good health. They must also consent to and pass a background check. Volunteers must be available to work a minimum of eight hours per week during normal business hours, Monday through Friday. They must complete an four-hour training program. Every effort will be made to place volunteers in desired geographic or special interest areas.

For more information, call the Victim-Witness Assistance Program's Volunteer Coordinator at (800) 380-3811. If you would like to apply to volunteer, an information packet will be sent to you. Applicants will be scheduled for an interview and background check. Those selected will then be enrolled in the training program and, on completion, receive an office assignment and on-the-job orientation at the work site.

California Youth Authority Victim Impact Program

The Victim-Witness Assistance Program has worked in collaboration with the staff of the California Youth Authority's Southern Reception Center and Clinic to conduct victim of crime impact classes to the wards at that facility. This crime prevention program attempts to educate youthful offenders about the traumatic and life changing effects of crime upon victims and their families. The Program recruits victims and experts in the victim area to speak to the wards. It also assists in planning and organizing the curriculum plan each year. The sessions are a part of a more extensive victim impact curriculum implemented by the Youth Authority. Participation and successful completion of this curriculum is a requirement for release from the Youth Authority.

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