NATIONAL NIGHT OUT- Organizations Publicize Their Services; Victim Support Services

Earlier this month local communities and police in Snohomish County, and across the nation, came together to talk and to strengthen their resolve in the fight against crime. In Snohomish County some neighbors and Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office deputies took time to get to know each other at neighborhood BBQ’s and gatherings. The county also hosted an NNO get together at Willis Tucker Park with many organizations in attendance including the Sheriff’s Office, local fire districts, PUD, Community Transit, Snohomish County 911, and a variety of volunteer organizations that provide services to the public.

Over the next few days I will give some information about some of these organizations that can help you.

The first organization is Victim Support Services (VSS). VSS provides free aid to victims of crime in Snohomish, King, Whatcom, Island and Skagit Counties. If you are a victim of a property crime such as a burglary, identity theft, fraud, hate crime, robbery, vehicular assault, homicide or any number of other crimes, VSS can help you. The only exceptions are for domestic violence and sexual assault, where victims of these crimes are referred to agencies that specialize in helping in those situations.

The services that VSS provides include

·         24-hour hotline- 1-888-288-9221 where you can talk to a trained advocate who can help you.

·         Crisis intervention for when you just need someone to talk to, when you do not know where to turn, when you feel overwhelmed.

·         Information and referral to answer your questions and to find the appropriate services to help you.

·         Advocacy including completing a Crime Victims Compensation form, providing free printed materials on victim grief and trauma, assisting with funeral or memorial arrangements, intervening with media when requested, providing resources and referrals, facilitating safety planning, helping to navigate through the Criminal Justice process, giving information on the crime victims’ Bill of Rights, assisting with Victim Impact Statements, providing information and resources for notifications of offender release.

·         Medical advocacy to help victims with issues with their medical care.

·         Support groups- VSS offers 10-week closed support groups for homicide survivors

·         Mental health counseling for crime victims.

VSS emphasizes that its services are free to you, and you do not need to report to law enforcement nor does your immigration status prevent you from obtaining their services.



Victim Support Services:

https://victimsupportservices.org/