About Victims of Crime Assistance
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.
Secondary services offered by the VOCA program are Court Advocacy, Case Management, Information and Referral, Personal Advocacy, and Crisis Line Phone Counseling.
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.
The VOCA Center is located in Hazard, Kentucky. Cyrus Brashear is the Adult Counselor/Social Worker and Lois J. Valentine is responsible for the Play Therapy Program for the children. Both staff persons are trained to be Court Advocates on victims behalf, and they maintain the Crisis Counseling by phone services as well as case management. They also assist victims in applying for Victims Compensation funds when necessary.
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 objectives of the previous grant period were to provide direct comprehensive victims services to 190 crime victims. To assist and respond to the physical and emotional needs of 190 crime victims suffering as a result of criminal acts. To provide crisis intervention counseling services to 190 victims during the twelve-month project period. To provide follow-up services to 190 victims that received crisis intervention services. To provide individual, group, and family counseling services to 190 victims that has been emotionally and/or physically abused. To provide case management and advocacy services for 190 persons who have been victimized. To provide information and referral services to all victims of crime within the project period. To improve services to victims by educating the public and victims about the impact that violent crime has on crime victims. To provide a minimum of eight community education presentations and outreach services to promote community efforts to aid crime victims. To provide a minimum of one presentation in each of the eight counties the Victims Services Program serves.
The Victims Services Program strives to respond to the emotional and physical needs of crime victims in stabilizing their lives after being victimized. Staff provides assistance to victims who are seeking available crime victim’s compensation benefits that may be offered, to make every possible effort to provide crisis counseling services to victims within 72 hours of the crime, and to conduct trauma assessments and provide crisis intervention supportive counseling.
During the previous grant year, the Victims Services Program staff and volunteers saw 35 males and 156 females for a total of 191 victims of various crimes. During that time, 191 persons received counseling related to victimization. Criminal justice support advocacy was provided for 116 victims. Emergency financial assistance was given to 38 victims. Group treatment services were provided to 45 crime victims. Emergency legal advocacy to 81 victims was offered. Housing assistance was given to 36 victims in need of emergency housing. There were 24 community education/outreach presentations conducted during the contract year.
The total number of victims served by type of victimization: child physical abuse 03; domestic violence 177 victims; adult sexual assault 02; adults molested as children 02; and 05 assault victims received services.
Total number of victims served by counties: Leslie 22; Lee 07; Perry 98: Letcher 17; Breathitt 14; Wolfe 03; Knott 23; Owsley 03; Clay 01; Johnson 02; and Carter 01.
Cyrus Brashear
Program Director
VOCA Contact Information
The VOCA office location is not provided due to privacy and safety concerns. If you need to meet with someone from the VOCA contact the Program Director.
Telephone: 606-439-3961
Toll Free: 1-800-928-3131
Office Hours :
Monday - Friday 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM