Victim/Witness Assistance Center

The Butte County Victim/Witness Assistance Center provides supportive services to victims and witnesses of crime. Victim advocates provide court escort for victims who must testify and to victims and their families at the time of sentencing. Staff work closely with criminal justice agencies to provide victims with timely, accurate case progress information. Victims and witnesses are also eligible to receive other services that include: referral to other social service agencies, victim statement assistance, post-sentence and prison release information, as well as help determining eligibility for filing claims with the California Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board for payment of medical bills, counseling costs, lost wages, and funeral and burial expenses. The Victim Witness staff's role is to assist victims and witnesses in understanding the often confusing criminal justice system and to relieve some of the trauma of victimization. Additionally, the center conducts violence prevention outreach in local communities. Annually, Victim Witness advocates make numerous presentations to civic and professional groups, conduct in-service trainings for local law enforcement agencies and other providers of victim services, and educate students at the local university and community college regarding victims’ rights. Furthermore, Victim Witness conducts outreach at the Silver Dollar Fair, the Butte County Fair, farmers markets, and other community events.

In calendar year 2005, this office processed 2486 initial referrals of alleged or proven violent crimes that impacted primary victims and secondary victims (such as other family members) as follows: This included 112 alleged rape victims, 344 alleged assault victims, 418 alleged child abuse victims and 960 alleged domestic violence victims (39% of crimes referred involved domestic violence). During 2005, Victim/Witness aided victims in receiving financial assistance from the California Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board in the amount of $444,004.26.

The Butte County Victim/Witness Assistance Center is staffed by eight people. A Probation Officer/Program Coordinator, two full-time Victim Advocates, a half-time Victim Advocate, one citizen Volunteer Advocate, two Claims Specialists, and an Office Secretary.

For more information about the Butte County Victim/Witness Assistance Center, please contact us at (530) 538-7340 or by e-mail at Victim Assistance (VictimAssistance@buttecounty.net)