Shawnee County District Attorney's Office Victim/Witness Unit

Description

The Victim/Witness Unit has been designed to meet the four following goals:

• To have our volunteers be qualified citizens who represent all areas of the community and who can meet the needs of the Shawnee County District Attorney's Office;
• Provide quality assistance to individuals receiving services from our unit
• Offer members of our community an opportunity to help those affected by crime by accomplishing tasks that are challenging, rewarding, and educational;
• Educate our volunteers on the importance of learning about their community and the diversity of its residents.

Our Unit was developed to ensure and enforce consistent and fundamental rights for victims and witnesses while allowing them access to quality and comprehensive services. Adults and children are provided with court accompaniment, counseling (referrals), crime victim compensation, restitution, "Kids in Court", and other victim services, and along with ongoing support throughout all of their court proceedings. So far in 2009, our unit has assisted over 500 victims.

We are looking for individuals interested in providing this one on one care for the victims and witnesses that come through our unit. It would be an excellent opportunity to learn more about the judicial system while helping your community feel safe and knowledgable.