Community Victim Advocacy Needs

DOJ and OVC have long recognized the critical need to support American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) victims of crime. Over time, OVC has conducted a number of tribal consultations and listening sessions to gather input from our AI/AN partners regarding the Crime Victims Fund tribal victim services set-aside. Based on the information gathered, OVC will allocate the FY 2020 funding by an interim discretionary administrative formula. The formula being used was created with significant input from tribal leaders and from the information gathered from the consultations and listening sessions. Under this award, Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community will improve and sustain their current Victim Service Program.

With this funding, Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community will continue to provide trainings on victimization-related issues to tribal victim service staff and the larger community.

Funds will pay for the salary, benefits, travel, training, and supplies for a Victim Advocate Case Manager/ Liaison. The Victim Advocate coordinates the Community’s multi-disciplinary response teams related to adult victims of crime, provide case management and advocacy to adult victims of crime, coordinate trauma related training for staff and community members, facilitate trainings for volunteer victim advocates, and induce community member engagement in victim services.

To serve the victims with a more comprehensive approach, the Family Advocacy Center will ensure that participants have access to basic care supplies (such as water bottles, backpacks, flip flops, feminine hygiene products, safety cards, phone cards, clothing, shoes, and gift cards for groceries.) and short term emergency assistance (such as short term housing, security deposits, mobile telephones, household supplies, etc.). 

After COVID, Family Advocacy Center is more engaged with community and other departments to participate in prevention activities, awareness events, and outreach to educate staff and community. Providing promotional items at these events or education forum with our information/logo/contact information appear to be critical as FAC aims to educate the community about the signs of child abuse, promote resources for prevention and intervention. By providing promotional items, FAC can effectively engage the community, raise awareness, and encourage participation in the events. Promo items can serve as conversation starters for services FAC provides, brochures and stickers etc. will provide attendees with essential information about available resources and how they can contribute to prevention abuse in the community.

In addition, this award will pay for forensic interviewer costs to minimize the interviews being conducted at outside facilities to provide more healing centered environment for the victims.

The fund will also be used to purchase a vehicle where the victims and their non-offending family/caregivers can be transported to necessary appointments, such as medical exams, court appearance, therapy etc., as many do not have transportation or they are unable to drive.