When No Place Feels Safe: Resources for Victims of and Witnesses to Crimes

Shelly Hall, Victim Services Director for the Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit’s Office of the District Attorney, joined Dr. Dolores Tarver on “T” Time with Dr. Tarver to discuss resources for people who have been victims of or witnessed a crime. Here are some highlights: It can take up to 2 days for the police report to reach Victim Services. The Early Victim Notification Team will reach out once they are notified (they call also be called by the family and they will reach out).  The Georgia Crime Victims Compensation Program is a state-run program offers financial assistance to eligible crime victims. Individuals may be eligible for compensation (burial, medical, mental, dental, economic, crime scene clean up) if they’ve been physically injured by violent crime or if they witnessed or were threatened with violent crime. When there is a homicide, immediate family members could be able to receive compensation for mental health counseling. The crime must be reported within 72 hours & the application must be filed within 3 years. There is assistant to complete the application. There are 6 counties that make up our Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit: Chattahoochee, Harris, Marion, Muscogee, Talbot and Taylor. Services are available to any crime victim within this area. Children’s Tree House is a local non-profit that provides forensic interviews, mental health services, and more for youth who have been victimized. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ColumbusVWAP Website: https://courts.columbusga.gov/District-Attorney/Victim-Witness Email: [email protected] Phone: 706-653-4426