City of Fort Worth, Fort Worth Police Department Victims Assistance Unit Law Enforcement-Based Victim Specialist Program

The purpose of this award, funded under the OVC FY 2019 Law Enforcement-Based Victim Specialist Program, is to develop or enhance and sustain crime victim specialist programs within law enforcement agencies and better coordinate services to victims to more quickly and more effectively serve the victim assistance and compensation needs of all crime victims and inform them of their rights as crime victims.

The City of Fort Worth, Texas will support and assist victims of crime by collaborating with the Fort Worth Police Department (FWPD) to develop and implement a model proactive victim assistance program to prevent cases of interpersonal violence (IPV) from escalating and to reduce offender recidivism to protect victims. Project objectives are: 1) Increase knowledge and awareness of 225 nonprofit organizations and other staff about victims’ perspectives and needs when IPV is suspected; 2) Provide support and assistance to victims over the 3-year grant period; and 3) Offender recidivism will be reduced by at least 15 percent — resulting in positive outcomes for victims. CA/NCF