Types of Services and Support Available to Victim Witnesses

Types of Services and Support Available to Victim Witnesses
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Types of Services and Support Available to Victim Witnesses
Victim witnesses comprise individuals affected by crime. In other words, they are people who know that a crime was committed and are likely to be called during the court proceedings or trial to testify. The participation of victim witnesses is crucial in the criminal justice system since they help to determine how a specific crime happened and who was responsible. Victims of crime and witnesses are required to give truthful testimony and cooperate with law enforcers to determine whether the accused person is innocent or guilty. However, victim witnesses might fear sometimes participating during the court proceedings due to the offender’s retaliation. That is the reason victim advocates are there to help those affected by the crime to get appropriate resources, including legal services and emotional support.
A victim advocate refers to a professional who provides emotional and information support for individuals affected by crimes. In particular, the person helps the victims find appropriate resources by reaching out to relevant organizations in social service and criminal justice agencies. Based on the National Center for Victims of Crime (NCVC), victim advocates help people affected by crime know what they are supposed to do so that they can get proper assistance. For example, they facilitate filling out crucial paperwork that might be complicated for victims to fill on their own. As such, victim advocates ensure that individuals affected by crime can get the resources they need, including legal services, counseling practices, and trauma cleanup specialists.
There exist various types of services and support that are available to ...