Victim Services Division
The San Diego County District Attorney’s Victim Services Division works to reduce the trauma, frustration and inconvenience experienced by victims, witnesses, and family members affected by crime. We do this by providing a variety of services to victims of crime and their families, in addition to supporting victims and witnesses through the criminal justice process.
Last year, these services reached more than 14,398 victims of crime in San Diego County.
Led by Cynthia Charlebois, Division Director, the work done by staff in this division allows for faster and more complete recovery from the effects of crime. Some of the services provided by the division include:
- Crisis intervention
- Resource and Referrals
- Victims of Crime Claim Submission
- Court Support
- Restitution Assistance
Paralegals and a senior probation officer provided assistance to victims and District Attorney staff on 1,191 cases. As a result, more than $21.4 million in restitution was ordered paid to victims and $122,827 in restitution was distributed directly to victims in 2011. (re-write of the graph below)
As experts on restitution matters, paralegals and the senior probation officer in the division handled and provided direct assistance to District Attorney staff and victims in 1,191 cases affecting more than $ 21.4 million in restitution ordered to victims and $122,827 in restitution distributed directly to victims during 2011.
The Victim Assistance Program provides comprehensive services to victims of all types of crimes, as mandated by Penal Code Section 13835 California and Federal, Victims of Crime Act (VOCA), Public Law 98-473. Mandatory and optional services are provided to crime victims even when a suspect has not been apprehended or prosecuted. This program is meant to reduce the trauma that victims may experience in the aftermath of a crime.
In 2011, Victim Advocates assisted 14,398 crime victims with 2,379 crisis interventions. They provided 13,171 resource and referrals and they provided case status support on 7,040 cases. Victim Advocates also assisted in filing 1,050 applications with the Victim Compensation Program and provided court escort and support to 1,140 victims.
The Restitution Claims Unit processed 1,160 claims from victims of violent
crimes and 5,087 bills from service providers. The unit also facilitated payment
of $1.9 million to victims from the State Victim Compensation Fund.
The Restitution Recovery Unit handled 1,161 cases, assisted 539 victims and
obtained restitution fines totaling $1.4 million. The unit also helped secure
restitution orders totaling $1.4 million payable to the state and $7.7 million
payable directly to victims.
Notable accomplishments in 2011 include:
The District Attorney played a pivotal role in providing $21,513 -- using the DA Victims Emergency Relief Fund -- for immediate needs of crime victims. The money helped provide food, medical, dental, housing and personal items. Additionally, the program held its annual holiday drive, providing holiday enjoyment for crime victim families who may have otherwise not been afforded the opportunity. Through staff coordination, 35 families, 102 children and two dependent adults were provided with gifts, cash, food, toys and clothing.
Immediate crisis intervention, community outreach and education are important components of the division’s mission. The program has achieved strong, positive and committed relationships with community groups. They include: the San Diego Chapter of Parents of Murdered Children, Survivors of Violent Loss, the Victim Assistance Coordinating Council (VACC), Center for Community Solutions, and Head Start. Victim advocates teach at the San Diego Police Academy and provide trainings and presentations to a host of community-based organizations.
