Kids' House seeks space at police department for victim adovcate

MILTON — The Santa Rosa Kids’ House is hoping to obtain a grant from the Office for Victims of Crime under the Victims of Crime Act to fund a position for an additional victim advocate, but they need some assistance from the Milton Police Department.

"This position will be funded by the Santa Rosa Kids’ House," Jody Ennis, victim advocate with the SRKH, said in a letter to Chief Tony Tindell. "We just need the Milton Police Department to agree to provide a place for the victim advocate to work, to provide statistics needed for grant completion, to tell us that they do want a victim advocate and will use our victim advocate."

According to Ennis, duties the victim advocate will have will be:

To respond to and provide crisis intervention to victims and their families during and after hours (when needs are indentified as severe)
To provide information on resources and assist with referrals to appropriate community resources and mental health services for victims and their families
To maintain contact with the victim and their family with follow-up and advocacy in cases that are under investigation or prosecutable
To explain to victims and their families why a case may not be prosecutable
To advocate for the victim for successful case resolution and better treatment of the victims and family during the interview process
To update the victim on court hearings and accompany them to court
To explain to the victim what court will be like and what to expect, and give the victim support
To schedule, attend and facilitate case review meetings to ensure continuity of services
To assist victims with completing the Victim Compensation applications, as well as assisting with the submission of the applications
To maintain statistical data and submit statistical data as required by VOCA
To assist with all other duties that may be assigned

The victim advocate will act as a liaison between the police department and the victim.

"Police officers are normally running from call to call and do not have time to follow up and make sure victims are informed of the judicial system and what they can expect to happen," Ennis said. "Keeping the victims informed and educated on the process will help the victim understand the process and will increase the chances of the victim following through with the criminal investigation."

In cases involving domestic violence, the victim advocate works with Favor House to ensure the victim and family are safe and aware of the injunction process.

Tindell said he is interested in providing the necessary resources required for a victim advocate, and requested authorization to proceed from the city of Milton.

The city staff recommended supporting the project, and the council will discuss the matter at the next Executive Committee meeting.