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Victims and survivors of violent crimes come from every ethnic, social, religious, and economic sector of our population. Due to the nature of the victimization process, victims of violent crimes are reluctant to seek assistance. This cloak of silence is the criminal's "best friend" as violent crimes are often unreported and potential witnesses unwilling to step forward. There is a pressing need to put an end to this veil of silence and dramatically modify the attitude towards violence from the victim's perspective.
No one is completely immune from violence, as it can impact anyone, anywhere - particularly families and children. Violent crime often leaves its victims and survivors, and in some cases, the community at large, traumatized. The results of violent crime are often physically and emotionally damaging and financially destructive. Immediately in the wake of a violent crime, victims and survivors are required to cope with law enforcement investigations and the developing judicial process. In this situation, they are unprepared. Often, victims are unaware of their legal rights, eligibility for compensation benefits, and how the criminal justice system can provide protection. Frequently, victims are reluctant to utilize the system that was tailored to support them.
The State of Florida Statutes provides guidelines for the fair treatment of victims in the criminal justice and juvenile justice systems. It authorizes a direct-support organization to assist victims of adult and juvenile crime.
In response to a growing public concern for victims of crime, the DeSoto County Sheriff's Department, with the support of a Victims Of Crime Act grant, established a Victim Advocate Program in 1998.
The Victim Advocate Program is guided by two primary goals. The first goal is to provide personalized, professional immediate and long-term assistance to any person who has suffered, directly or indirectly, a physical, emotional, or personal loss as a result of a criminal act. This includes families of victims and victims of crimes not necessarily prosecuted. This assistance includes notifying victims of their specific legal rights and victim's compensation benefits. The Program strives to guide the victim through the crisis and ease them back to their pre-crisis level of functioning. The second goal is to assist the DeSoto County Sheriff's Office by reducing out-of-service time for officers and investigators.
The Victim Advocate Program at the Miami Police Department currently has 1Victim Advocate providing 24 hours, 7 days a week, on call support to victims of violent crime, survivors of homicides and for domestic violence. Specialized assistance is available to victims and survivors immediately at the crime scene, throughout the investigative phase and the criminal justice process.
More specifically, the Victim Advocate is prepared to provide the following support:
· On-scene crisis intervention.
· Emotional support to victims, survivors and families.
· Referrals to support groups, shelter and housing facilities, agencies that provide medical and mental health and financial support.
· Assistance with filing Violent Crimes Compensation forms.
· Familiarize the victim with the criminal justice system to help them understand their rights and obligations by providing information relative to court procedures, the roles of the principals, process to obtain protective orders, and in-court support.
· Referrals to domestic violence investigators (if required).
· Assistance in filing a Victim Impact Statement.
· Assistance in recovery of property involved in the violent crime incident.
· Assistance in obtaining follow-on information on the investigation process.
· Personal safety planning.
· Follow-up moral support.
The Victim Advocate Program has become an integral element of the comprehensive services provided to the resident and visitors of Desoto County. The Program complements the efforts of the DeSoto County Sheriff's Office in reducing crime and enhancing the quality of life in our community by providing immediate and long term assistance to the victims and survivors of crime.
NATIONAL HELP
Children Of Murdered Parents
National Organization for Victim Assistance (800) 879-6682
National Victim Center (800) 394 -3255
Office for Victims of Crime Resource Center (800) 627-6872 | 
