Expanded services available to crime victims in Union County

A significant expansion of services which are available to victims of crimes has been reported by Union County State's Attorney Tyler R. Edmonds.

Edmonds said Oct. 17 that the Victim’s Advocate Unit, VAU, of the Union County state’s attorney’s office will now be available 24 hours, seven days a week to assist victims of violent crime when such services are requested by local law enforcement personnel.

"Expansion of these services to evening, overnight and weekend hours will allow VAU staff to provide immediate assistance to crime victims at the time of offense," Edmonds said in a news release.

Services will include:

Coordinating transportation and emergency mobile phone access.

Coordinating with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Child Advocacy Center and other agencies to provide immediate support services.

Familiarizing victims with law enforcement and court processes.

Strengthening communication and rapport between victims and law enforcement.

Providing information regarding crime victim compensation funds.

Ensuring victim’s concerns are addressed in a timely manner by law enforcement and prosecutors.

The VAU is funded through a Violent Crime Victims Assistance grant from the Illinois attorney general office and a Victims of Crime Act grant funded by U.S. Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs' Office for Victims of Crime and administered by the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority.