Victim Services

The Crime Victims' Assistance Program was established in July of 1985.  The program was developed to address the needs and the rights of innocent victims of crime and their families.  It also addresses the needs of the survivors of homicide victims.

The demand for victims' services provided by the Fayette Commonwealth's Attorney's Office Crime Victims' Assistance Program increased rapidly, and, by the end of 1987, it more than tripled in size and currently reaches more than two thousand victims each year in various stages of need.  All of the services offered through the program are now being provided by a Restitution Coordinator, four Victims' Advocates and the help of student interns and volunteers.  The goal of the program is to identify and provide direct comprehensive services to victims of violent crime including sexual assault, domestic violence, child abuse, elder abuse, physical assault, robbery, kidnapping, unlawful imprisonment, stalking, wanton endangerment, families of victims of homicide, and victims of residential burglary.

The Victims' Advocates work closely with the Commonwealth's Attorney and his assistants, and act as a liaison between the victim and various entities of the criminal justice system.  The Victims' Advocates also work with various local helping agencies and support groups in addressing the needs of the crime victim.

Victims of crime deserve fair treatment and protection equal to that which is granted to their perpetrators.  The Fayette Commonwealth's Attorney's Office Crime Victims' Assistance Program seeks to offer a complete and innovative support system to those individuals who are confronted with the harsh realities of crime.