Victim Services - Program History

Crime Victims' Assistance Program Celebrates
17 Years of Service to Crime Victims

"We need to treat people the way we would like to be treated ourselves if we were the victims of a crime."  That was the basis for the creation of the Crime Victims' Assistance Program established by Ray Larson in 1985 in the Fayette Commonwealth's Attorney's Office.  In the 17 years of the program, thousands of victims have been served, and services to victims have been dramatically expanded.

The Crime Victims' Assistance Program has received statewide and national recognition.  In 1990 the National Organization for Victims' Assistance (NOVA) awarded the program its "Excellence in Victim Assistance Award," recognizing it as one of the three outstanding Victims' Assistance Programs in America.  In 1991 Ray Larson was one of eight individuals recognized by President George Bush for outstanding service on behalf of victims of crime.

For victims of violent crime:  Our Victims' Assistance Program was originally designed to serve the needs of all victims of violence.  Lives are changed as a result of violent attacks and murders committed in our community.  We believe that the criminal justice system should not be another example of innocent people being treated as if they are the criminals.  As a result, our victims' program is dedicated to improving the way the criminal justice system treats victims of crime.

For children who are victims of crime:  In 1990 many of us in Fayette County realized that we must improve the investigation and prosecution of child sexual abuse cases.  We all realized that we must work together if we were to improve the way these cases were investigated, prosecuted, and the children treated.  As a result, a multi-disciplinary team was created and the results improved dramatically.  In 1994 the Children's Advocacy Center of the Bluegrass, Inc., opened its doors and our children who are sexually abused have a child-friendly place to be interviewed, examined and receive therapy.

For victims of juvenile criminals:  Another specialized part of the program deals with the area of juvenile justice.  One of the Victims' Advocates in our office coordinates these efforts.  The advocate works with all the victims of juvenile crime when the juvenile is transferred to Circuit Court.  Likewise, the advocate maintains all office statistics on the number of juveniles who are transferred.  The advocate is also involved in preventive efforts within the community, such as helping with the organization and presentation of DUI education programs within the local high schools, networking with various agencies, and coordinating our efforts in preventing juvenile crime.

For burglary victims:   Most burglary victims say "I never thought it would happen to me."   When it does, however, most are angry and afraid.  Burglary is a violation of not only property, but of privacy.  It is very disconcerting to know that a stranger has been in your home and gone through your personal belongings.

Most burglaries are not solved, and, as a result, burglary victims never receive the extensive services provided for other crime victims.  That is why our program works more closely with these victims whether their burglary was solved or not.  Each day the Victims' Advocate in charge of this program picks up the burglary police reports.  A letter is sent to each victim notifying them of a home security survey provided by the Lexington Police Department.  A few days later the advocate makes a follow-up call to see if the letter was received and to answer any questions.  Our burglary victim program is a service that is about reaching out to victims and restoring trust.

For elderly crime victims:   Everyone is concerned about physical abuse, neglect and financial exploitation of our senior citizens.  We in the Fayette Commonwealth's Attorney's Office are going to try to do something about it.  Many agencies in our community work with senior citizens but unfortunately don't communicate with each other.  It is our plan to bring this group together and begin to share information that will allow us to identify seniors who are at risk, and investigate and prosecute those who would harm them physically or financially.

Restitution, making sure that crime doesn't pay:  Since 1996 our program has focused considerable energy and resources into the creation of a restitution program.  Its purpose is to require criminals who cause victims to suffer financial loss to pay victims for those financial losses.