Crime Victim Services Commission (CVSC)
Mission
The Crime Victim Services Commission (CVSC) is a department within the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, who provides reimbursement expenses for innocent crime victims who suffer a physical injury. They are the state agency charged with overseeing a wide range of funding and services for victims of crime.
Their goal is to promote services that protect and enhance the health, safety, dignity, and rights of victims of crime across the state of Michigan.
Additional Information:
- The commission consists of five members, with no more than three being from the same political party.
- Each member is appointed by the Governor and serves a three-year term.
- Commission members include:
- A practicing attorney.
- A county prosecutor.
- A law enforcement officer.
- A member of the medical profession.
- A community-based victim advocate.
- Members are appointed with the advice and consent of the Senate.
Contact Information
Child Support: 866-540-0008
Report Abuse & Neglect: 855-444-3911
General Information: 517-241-3740
Public Health Emergencies: 517-335-9030
The Department of Victim Services (DVS) at EQMI
The Department of victim Services at Equality Michigan provides dedicated survivor-centered services to LGBTQ, SGL, and individuals living with HIV who have experienced violence, discrimination, and harassment. Their work is attributed to increase self-determination, safety, and power for people who have been harmed.
Support & Advocacy
Their support and advocacy services are aimed to work with LGBTQ, SGL, and HIV-affected people experiencing various forms of violence, including domestic violence, sexual assault, hate violence, harassment, and discrimination.
They work to center the needs of people who have been harmed and, as advocated, know their role is to support them however that takes shape. Therefore, their services are survivor-centric and tailored to the specific needs of each person.
Contact Information
Main Number: 313-537-7000
Crime Victims Legal Assistance Project (CVLAP)
The Crime Victims Legal Assistance Project is a statewide program with attorneys across the state of Michigan. They provide free legal help to clients who have experienced domestic violence and to clients who are at least 55 years old and have experienced abuse, neglect, or exploitation.
Domestic Violence Initiative
Their Domestic Violence Initiative provides free civil legal assistance to survivors or domestic violence in Michigan. You do not have to report a crime or contact law enforcement to receive their help. Their goal is to ensure safety and dignity and support survivors as they achieve their goals.
If you are a survivor and would like legal help, please contact the office of theirs that is closest to you to find a CVLAP attorney.
Elder Justice
Their Elder Justice Initiative provides free civil legal assistance to adults in Michigan who are age fifty-five (55) and over and have experienced or are at risk of abuse, neglect, or exploitation. This can include anything from domestic violence to financial scams. You do not have to report a crime or contact law enforcement to receive their help. Their goal is to ensure safety, protect assets and preserve older adults’ quality of life, rights, and dignity.
If you or someone you know would like these services please contact the office of theirs that is closest to you to find a CVLAP attorney.
Contact Information
To find the contact information for the CVLAP office closest to the Michigan county you live in please use this link:
If you live within the boundaries of a tribal reservation or think tribal law applies to your situation, please use this number: 800-968-6877
National Center for Victims of Crime
Mission
The mission of the National center for Victims of Crime is to forge a national commitment to help victims of crime rebuild their lives. This center is dedicated to serving individuals, families, and communities that are harmed by crime.
The National Center for Victims of Crime is, at its core, an advocacy organization committed to–and working on behalf of–crime victims and their families. Rather than focusing the entire organization’s work on one type of crime or victim, the National Center addresses all types of crime.
Their current work includes:
- The Center for Victim Service Professionals (CVSP)
- The Center for Research and Innovation (CRI)
- The Center for Victim and Survivor Services (CVSS)
- The Victim Assistance to Support Tribes (VAST)
- The National Crime Victim Bar Association
- The National Training Institute
- The Victim Policy Institute
- The National Compassion Fund
Contact Information
Crime Survivors Resource Center
At the Crime Survivors Resource Center their vision is for victims of crime to recover from their experience mentally, physically, emotionally, and financially, by receiving the respect, support, and protection of law enforcement, the judicial system, and the community. Additionally, they provide hope and healing to victims and survivors of crime through advocacy and the support of resources, information, and empowerment from the critical time after a crime occurs through the challenges and successes of surviving and thriving.
Their work focuses on:
- Awareness
- Crime Survivors is focused on making sure that our leaders and influencers are not only aware of the needs of victims, but committed to promoting and supporting pro-crime survivor policies and practices throughout the criminal justice system.
- Advocacy
- Through the strength, experience, and endless commitment of their team, Crime Survivors advocates to change the way victims are treated in the criminal justice system.
- Prevention
- With the best form of prevention being education, Crime Survivors is one of the leading “victims-focused” educators in the country. Their education includes training law enforcement, testifying in front of legislative committees, or sitting down with the family and support structure of a newly created crime victim. Their unique approach creates both awareness and understanding and sets the stage for not only prevention, but for putting the needs of the victim first as well.
- Healing
- Healing is a lifetime journey that requires understanding and support. Crime Survivors is a lifetime advocate that focuses on the positive empowerment of crime victims to turn them into survivors. They strive to provide every survivor with a clear path to hope, healing, and strength.
Contact Information
Main Number: 844-853-HOPE
Email: info@crimesurvivors.org
Michigan Legal Help
The Michigan Legal Help website was created to help people who have to handle simple civil legal questions without a lawyer.
Their site offers a variety of self-help tools, including information about family issues such as divorce and child custody; protection from abuse, such as stalking, domestic violence and personal protection orders; housing, such as landlord/tenant matters; and individual rights, such as emancipation of a minor, among other resources to answer legal questions.
Their website provides resources on:
- Finding a Lawyer
- Includes a Guide to Legal Help to help you find the best available legal information and lawyer referrals for your problem. To find the best referrals, they need information about you, your legal issue, and your income.
- To use the guide to legal help to find a lawyer press the button below
- Self-Help Centers
- Find a Self-Help Center near you to get additional help representing yourself in court.
- Community Services
- Find a local community service organization for other assistance.
- Courts & Agencies
- Provides contact information and what you need to know before you go to court.
Contact Information
To contact Michigan Legal Help you can submit a comment on their website.
First Step
Mission
According to their website, their mission is to eliminate both domestic and sexual violence and to provide comprehensive services to individuals and families impacted by these crimes.
Services
- 24-Hour Helpline: Specially trained First Step staff and volunteers provide crisis intervention, support, information, and safety planning to survivors who call our 24-hour help line.
- Information and Referrals: Provide critical information and referrals regarding housing, legal assistance, counseling, temporary emergency housing, transportation, and health care.
- Community Education: Staff members present to schools, businesses, religious organizations, medical personnel, police officers, and civic groups. Topics range from the effects of violence on children, to dating violence, domestic/sexual assault myths and facts, and community.
- Transitional Housing: Provides full rent subsidy and support while helping survivors build a credit history and skills to obtain and maintain permanent housing.
- Emergency Shelter: Provides emergency, short-term housing for victims of domestic and/or sexual violence and their children.
- Assault Response: Staff and volunteers, on-call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, respond to victims of domestic/sexual violence at local emergency rooms, police stations, and schools. Survivors receive immediate crisis intervention, clothing, support, safety planning, and links to First Step and other vital services.
- Children’s Advocacy and Prevention Programs: Children ages 3 through 19 are provided individual and group counseling sessions to overcome the effects of witnessing violence in the home and, in some cases, the effects of being victimized directly by physical or sexual abuse.
- Community Legal Response/Lethality Assessment Program: Advocates work with a designated domestic violence prosecutor and detective to respond to the crimes of domestic and sexual violence.
- Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Advocacy Programs: Survivors of domestic and sexual violence learn about the dynamics of abuse and how to advocate for their own resources and needs. They are given the space to discuss the emotional impact of their situations.
- ARK (Animals Receiving Kindness): The ARK Building allows survivors to bring their pets into shelter. The building features four dog kennels, four cat kennels, an outdoor dog run, four outdoor dog pens, a cat play area, a family visitation area, a laundry/storage area and a restroom.
Services are provided throughout Western Wayne County and the Downriver area of Wayne County. First Step offices are located in the cities of Wayne, Redford and Plymouth.
Contact Information
24-Hour Help Line: 734-722-6800
Turning Point
Victims of domestic violence in Macomb County can find help at Turning Point based in Mount Clemens, Michigan.
Mission
Their mission is to provide programs and resources that enable survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault the ability to regain control of their lives.
Philosophy
Their philosophy is to work toward ending the use of violence as a means of oppressing and controlling others, and endorses the concept of helping people assume power over their lives. They are dedicated to the development and promotion of programs that address the causes of violence and to the enhancement of the quality of life for present and future generations.
Services
Emergency Shelter: Provides temporary housing for survivors and their children who are fleeing from domestic violence of sexual assault. The shelter is a secure building with 52 beds and 13 buildings.
Housing Program: Provide safe, affordable housing and support services to survivors of domestic and sexual violence and stalking, and their children. They help provide furniture, dishes, and whatever else is necessary to create a safe, secure, and comfortable home.
Supportive Counseling Services: Survivors can reach out for supportive counseling services at any time during their healing journey. Counseling services are available in Mount Clemens, St. Clair Shores, Romeo, and Warren.
Forensic Nursing and Advocacy: This program is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They provide comprehensive medical forensic examinations to adults and children who have experienced sexual assault, domestic violence, or strangulation. Specially trained nurses and advocates meet the immediate physical and emotional needs of sexual assault survivors and provide crisis intervention.
24-Hour Hotline: Highly trained advocates are available 24/7/365 to provide support, safety planning and resources to callers, including those who are limited-English speaking or hearing impaired. Anyone from anywhere can call the hotline – you do not have to be a Macomb County resident to contact the hotline.
Personal Protection Order and Legal Advocacy: Staff assist the community with Personal Protection Order (PPO) forms, motions, and e-filing and also have legal advocates available to support survivors through the legal process.
Contact Information
24-Hour Hotline: 586-463-6990
Personal Protection Office: 586-469-7494
Legal Advocacy: 586-465-9161
Haven
Mission
To empower survivors to heal, and engage all individuals and communities to address and prevent sexual assault and initiate partner violence.
How They’ll Achieve Their Goal
- By providing comprehensive and culturally sensitive services to child and adult survivors and their families.
- By providing prevention education and professional development services.
- By providing youth intervention services to support respectful, loving and safe relationship behaviors.
- By working collaboratively with the community to achieve our HAVEN vision.
Programs
The Haven Residential Program: Oakland County’s only 24-hour emergency shelter exclusively for domestic violence and sexual assault victims and their children.
Counseling Services: Serves children and adults that have been affected by domestic violence and/or sexual assault. Specialized groups and individual counseling are provided at no charge.
Social Action: Advocates provide support and education for victims moving through the legal system, and provide immediate crisis intervention and emotional support for victims and their families after an assault.
Safe Therapeutic Assault Response Team (START): Forensic nurse examiners and first responders provide a comprehensive forensic exam and compassionate emotional support for victims of sexual assault.
Support Groups: Haven offers a variety of groups for victims and survivors of domestic abuse and sexual assault.
Personal Protection Order (PPO): assists stalking and domestic violence victims who are trying to obtain a PPO, such as a restraining order.
Contact Information
24-Hour Crisis & Support: 248-334-1274
Toll-Free Crisis Line: 877-922-1274
TTY Line: 248-972-2540
Haven’s Business Number: 248-334-1284
Michigan Crime Victim Services Commission
The Michigan Crime Victim Services Commission is a state agency within the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. CVSC in charge of funding and services for victims of a physical crime.
CVSC has four programs that serve and support crime victims including:
- Compensation
- Sexual Assault Forensic Exam (SAFE)
- Victims Rights
- Crime Victim Assistance (VOCA)
Contact Information
Crime Victims in Michigan may contact the commission at 877-251-7373.
Crime Victim Foundation
Mission
To provide “last resort” assistance to Michigan crime victims who have an immediate and critical need and for whom no other financial resource is available. The Crime Victim Foundation is a nonprofit that works solely for the purpose of helping those affected by crime.
Michigan Crime Victim Compensation Program
Overseen by the Michigan Department of Community Health. This program was established to provide limited financial assistance to innocent people who receive bodily injury from the commission of a crime in Michigan and who incur un-reimbursable financial losses as a result of the injury.
