Victim Assistance Program, Fort Wayne Police Department | 2020 National Crime Victims' Service Awards Tribute Video

JESSICA CROZIER: I think, for a lot of people, the criminal justice process is hard and it's confusing, and they just want somebody to listen to them, someone that's going to support them and give them the power back to make decisions.

DAWN MARIE-MILLES: I didn't know what Victim's Assistance was. I didn't know how they were going to help me through this process. I didn't even know I needed to be helped through this process. It made me feel secure in the moment that I was most insecure.

JO'NETTA NEELEY: Sometimes people, because they've been in trauma and violence and abuse so long, they've lost their voice. My biggest thing is to be a support to them, do a little bit of crisis intervention, get them connected with different types of resources. I wipe tears, I give hugs. I go to depositions. Whatever is needed for them to fully understand their rights as a victim, that's what I do.

WOMAN: You got this. You're strong.

JESSICA CROZIER: Oftentimes I think an individual's only notion of the criminal process is what they see on TV, and let's be honest, those shows are great, but we don't get DNA in a commercial break.

It can take months, it can take years, to solve that case, so you really, truly get close with those individuals, and you're like their support system. Last year, we provided services to over 7,200 primary crime victims. 

We respond wherever law enforcement needs us. That can be at the scene, at the hospital. It can be at the Sexual Assault Treatment Center, or it can be at the Center for Children due to something that's happened to a child, so being on that response team can be a little overwhelming.

WOMAN: In order to empower others, we have to make sure that we are empowering ourselves and empowering one another.

JO'NETTA NEELEY: We are a pretty tight force around this office. There are some weeks that, they're heart wrenching, and it's stressful, and I know that as soon as I get here, I can let it all on the table, and I know that there's 11 people that totally understand.

WOMAN: So, our quote today is, "The strength of the team is each individual member. The strength of each member is the team."

JESSICA CROZIER: It's important that we do celebrate one another and build up that morale and be there for each another. You are an amazing listener.

JO'NETTA NEELEY: This work is hard, but, like, it can be very rewarding. It's just an honor to be able to make a difference.