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 13,894 victims of crime in San Diego County.
Led by Division Chief Cynthia Charlebois, 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
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 2012, Victim Advocates assisted 13,894 crime victims with 1,824 crisis interventions. They provided 12,694 resource and referrals and they provided case status support on 6,041 cases. Victim Advocates also assisted in filing 965 applications with the Victim Compensation Program and provided court escort and support to 1,063 victims.
The Joint Powers Claims Unit processed 1,905 claims from victims of violent crimes and 5,147 bills from service providers. The unit also facilitated payment of $1.7 million to victims from the State Victim Compensation Fund.
The Criminal Restitution Recovery Unit handled 1,475 cases, assisted 668 victims and obtained restitution fines totaling more than $1 million. The unit also helped secure restitution orders totaling $1.3 million payable to the state and more than $2 million directly to victims.
Paralegals and a senior probation officer provided assistance to victims and District Attorney staff on 1,763 cases. As a result, more than $33 million in restitution was ordered paid to victims and $669,876 in restitution was distributed directly to victims in 2012 .
Notable accomplishments in 2012 include:
The District Attorney played a pivotal role in providing $43,039 – using the DA Victims Emergency Relief Fund – for immediate needs of 27 crime victims. The money helped provide food, medical, dental, housing and personal items. Additionally, the program held its annual holiday drive for crime victim families. Through staff coordination, 29 families, 59 children and 4 dependent adults were provided with gifts, cash, food, toys and clothing.
The Victim Services Division co-hosted the 38th NOVA (National Organization of Victim Assistance) Conference, which brought 600 attendees from all over the United States and Europe. The Conference provided outstanding training opportunities for victim advocates, attorneys, law enforcement and others who deal with victims of crime.
The Victim Services Division received recognition by the San Diego County Board of Supervisors in honoring one of their dedicated volunteers as Volunteer of the Year.
The Division Chief was selected by NOVA as a subject matter expert to review all applications submitted for certification by all branches of military personnel to fulfill and provide certification for all of the military's Sexual Assault Response Coordinators (SARC's) and Sexual Assault Response Prevention Victim Advocates (SARP-VA's) as a result of a congressional mandate to the Department of Defense.
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), the 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.
