Debra McCall Reed

Debra Reed began serving crime victims 30 years ago, while working for Delaware’s Division of Family Services as a child abuse investigator. In 1990, she was selected by the Delaware State Police (DSP) to develop a victim services program as its assistant director. Five years later, she was promoted to Director of the DSP/Delaware Victim Center, a position that she still holds. 

Ms. Reed has contributed to the development and revision of the DSP/Delaware Victim Center’s foundational policies around victim services related to sexual assault, domestic violence, human trafficking, and sudden death. As victims’ needs have changed through the years, Ms. Reed has risen to the challenge and responded with new and unique programs, including an emergency financial assistance program to assist crime victims with immediate needs such as housing, medical costs, and counseling. Under her leadership, the Victim Center has grown to be the cornerstone for statewide victim services, serving the DSP and most of the 37 municipalities throughout the state. 

Ms. Reed consistently provides guidance, resources, and technical assistance when local law enforcement administrations seek her advice. Ms. Reed received national crisis response training with the National Organization of Victim Assistance and is a Delaware Certified Domestic Violence Specialist. She is the team coordinator for national response and has responded to the aftermath of disasters in New York, Florida, and Mississippi. 

Ms. Reed is active with many local boards and groups, including the Victim Rights Task Force, Domestic Violence Task Force, Victim Advisory Board, Delaware Coalition against Domestic Violence Board, and Fatal Incident Review Board. Most recently, she was appointed by the Governor of Delaware to serve on the new Human Trafficking Council. 

Ms. Reed is a DSP Academy instructor and provides community presentations on crime victims’ topics. She works with several specialized DSP units, including domestic violence, sex crimes, homicide, and crash reconstruction. She is a Sexual Assault Kit Initiative board member and is instrumental in having untested kits sent for analysis and conveying results to victims. Recently, Ms. Reed has begun working with the FBI and other national representatives to establish best practices for law enforcement-based victim services.