The LKLP VOCA program is funded by the Kentucky Justice Cabinet and is primarily a counseling program dealing directly with the psychological and emotional consequences suffered by victims of various crimes. Persons who are victims of Domestic Violence Crimes are by far the dominant population seeking VOCA services.

The program provides assistance to adults, children, young people and elderly victims of crime. It is closely allied with the Spouse Abuse Shelter and contracts to conduct an interview with each adult who enters, with follow-up counseling as needed. Children of the abused spouse are enrolled in a special children's program because they are victims of the abusive situation and invariably experience severe emotional trauma, even if they are not directly attacked themselves.

Clients come to the LKLP VOCA program via various referral sources; most are self referrals and Spouse Abuse Shelter referrals, but others come from the court systems, Department for Social Services, schools, medical doctors, mental health agencies, private psychiatrists, Family Preservation, community, families and friends.

If you need more information you may call (606) 439-3961.

VOCA Program Highlights

 

The primary purpose of the LKLP Victims Services Program (VOCA) is to provide services that can directly improve the health and well-being of victims of crime. A crime victim is a person who has suffered physical, sexual, financial, or emotional harm as a result of a crime.

 

The scope of the program is to provide direct services that respond to the emotional and physical needs of crime victims. Program staff assists victims in stabilizing their lives by providing individual and family crisis counseling. Efforts are made to improve services to victims by educating the public and victims about the impact that violent crime has on crime victims and the communities they live in.

 

There are five victims’ categories eligible for services under the VOCA grant program. The victim services are domestic violence, rape/sexual assault, child abuse/assault, abuse/exploitation of the elderly, and general crime victimization that victims suffer as a result of criminal acts. Also, staff assures that victims receive information about and assistance in filing for Crime Victim Compensation programs available.

 

The Victims Services Program (VOCA) assistance grant funding cycle is from October 1, 2010 to September 30, 2011. For the LKLP Annual Report, the service period is from July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2011. During the grant year victims’ services were provided to 233 unduplicated crime victims. There was a 25.5% increase of unduplicated primary victims from the prior fiscal year. Follow-up services were provided for 182 clients. The timely crisis interventions helped to reduce the negative impact on traumatized victims. Case management and advocacy services were provided for 233 individuals. There were 37 referrals made to the Safe House for protective housing. Criminal justice support/advocacy was provided for 161 persons. Personal advocacy was provided for 152 victims. Emergency legal advocacy to 71 victims was offered. There were 8 child abuse cases, 1 adult sexual assault, 2 robbery victims, 19 victims of assault, and 8 elderly abuse referrals seen during this reporting period. Housing assistance was given to 29 victims in need of emergency housing. There were 205 females and 28 males serve by the program this year. There were 15 community education/outreach presentations conducted during the contract year, up 25% from the year before. Presentations and inter-agency networking have been effective in improving the identification and referral of crime victims in the Kentucky River area.

Cyrus Brashear
Program Director

 

VOCA Contact Information