CVS Provides Ten Core Services
  1. 24 hour crisis sexual assault and hospital response.
    CVS provides a 24 hour crisis line and in-person response for sexual assault victims in Allen and Putnam     Counties. Victims are provided such services as: crisis counseling; court advocacy; hospital response; assistance with employment / employer; and support in the reporting and prosecution of offenders.

  2. Domestic Violence 24 hour crisis line and shelter.
    CVS provides a 24 hour crisis line, in-person response, and shelter for domestic violence victims in Putnam County. Victims are provided such services as: safe shelter; crisis counseling; court advocacy; assistance with employment / employer; child support; food; transitional housing; and support in the reporting and prosecution of offenders.

  3. Victims' rights and hearing notification.
    Using letters, brochures, or telephone calls, CVS notifies victims and witnesses of: critical hearings and changes to that date; the outcome of the case (including decisions to drop the case, divert it, or transfer it to a different court); and the sentence (often including a certified journal entry). CVS answers questions about the process of testifying and attempts to resolve other problems that might discourage appearance at court (transportation, employer or school intervention, victim intimidation).

  4. Court Advocacy and Victim Impact Statements.
    CVS informs victims and witnesses about their opportunities to participate in the court process and assists victims in providing oral or written impact statements that include information about the physical, emotional, and financial effects of the crime, special circumstances such as cruelty or vulnerability, and victim opinions regarding plea negotiations, sentences, release from prison, and fear of the defendant.

  5. Assistance with Compensation from Ohio Criminal Fines, Restitution from the Offender, and Emergency Financial Assistance.
    CVS informs victims of violent crimes about "Victim Compensation" taken from criminal fines, not taxes. This state fund provides up to $50,000 for injured victims' expenses, such as, medical, counseling, lost wages, insurance deductibles etc. CVS helped bring over $300,000 to Putnam County victims and $2 million to Allen County victims since 1990. CVS also documents victim's injuries, damages and losses so prosecutors and judges can order criminals to pay restitution to victims and insurance companies. Based on CVS reports, victims recover tens of thousands of dollars annually in restitution.

    In addition CVS provides money for critical needs of victims from a special donation fund. The money is used, for example, to fix or replace broken locks, provide bus fare or impound fees to recover stolen cars, repair broken doors and windows, provide emergency protection measures for threatened, stalked or assaulted victims, and for gas or taxi money to get to court.

  6. Crisis Counseling and Referral.
    CVS provides crisis counseling, crisis intervention, victim support groups for domestic violence adults, children, and rape victims, and connects interested victims with other individuals of similar crimes for peer support. CVS is the liaison with counselors providing victimization impact assessments for victims. CVS networks with community agencies and refers victims for civil suits, specialized counselors, Legal Aid, MADD, Compassionate Friends, clergy, and is active in TRIAD (crimes against the elderly).

  7. Victim-Offender Mediation.
    CVS provides the opportunity for victims to ask questions, express feelings, and confront their offender in mediation with a trained mediator present. Mediations involves victims of property, violent, or homicide crimes. Offenders may take responsibility or recognize that a real person was violated.

  8. Victim Impact Panels.
    A Victim Impact Panel is a group people who express their feelings and talk about their experience. A Victim Impact Panel usually consist of 3 or 4 members. Panelists do not blame nor judge those who attend. They simply tell their stories of how their lives and their families have been affected. In Victim Impact     Panels, a victim can speak to inmates, schools, drunk drivers, and justice officials about their injury, trauma, or a loved one taken.

  9. Victim Ministry.
    CVS provides a Christian Ministry outreach to victims, and provides spiritual support to victims of other faiths. The staff and volunteers of this ministry encourage faith and spiritual healing by a priority on a "safe space" for victims, and providing emotional and practical support. Only designated funds are used for this service.

  10. Education for Public, Legislators, and Justice Officials.
    CVS provides presentations to community and church groups, law makers, and high school and college classes, distributes printed materials, trains criminal justice personnel, and participates in interagency task forces. CVS also educates the public about the problems, needs, and rights of victims and witnesses, and stimulates community support for the Justice System.