» Need to talk with someone who's also lost a loved one? Call or email the Homicide Survivors' Phone and Email Friends 

v Advocacy: Staff and volunteer advocates are ready to help provide personal and criminal justice system support and advocacy. If you have questions or concerns about Victim Rights, the Law Enforcement Investigation or the Court process, we can help. The best thing you can do is to become as informed as possible. Learn all you can about your rights. Your participation can make a difference in the outcome of your case. Often an individual's first encounter with the criminal justice system is when they become the victim of a crime. For most crime victims, navigating through the court system can be a daunting experience. No one should have to endure this alone. Having a support person or an advocate who can answer questions and offer support is extremely important. Staff and Volunteers can provide support throughout the trial procedures. An advocate can accompany you to court to offer support and to inform you about legal procedures. An advocate can assist you in preparing a Restitution request and Victim Impact Statement to present at the sentencing of the offender. An advocate can also assist you in preparing statements for parole or clemency hearings. We can help you deal with media, creditors, landlords, employers, insurance companies, etc.

» A Victim's Guide to Speaking with the Media

v Information: We offer a quarterly newsletter and a wide selection of free publications for survivors of homicide victims, friends, employers and others impacted by a murder. We can provide you with information about homicide grief, trauma, children, teens, victim rights, criminal justice process and civil justice. We offer information on how to help a friend, neighbor, co-worker, etc.

v Financial Assistance: Homicide Survivors can assist you in applying for Crime Victim Compensation which may help pay for: medical expenses, mental health counseling expenses, funeral expenses, and loss of support/wages. Homicide Survivors Victim Assistance may help pay for other expenses directly related to the crime. Fund raising efforts and community donations enable us to offer limited financial assistance where no other resource exists. We may be able to obtain discounted funeral services and/or provide a cemetery plot. We can assist you in applying for other assistance programs. We can help to establish a fund for donations and give advice to help raise funds. We may be able to help with other emergency expenses or funds to help you participate in the criminal justice process.