GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The Grand Rapids Police Department's Victim Services Unit is a program led by social workers to provide support for victims of crime and people who have lost loved ones.
"We are there to kind of help provide some information, guide people through the criminal justice system, talk about rights and also just try to help them get back in control," said Clorissa Novak, the GRPD Victim Services coordinator.
Novak said the unit fully became a part of GRPD in 2020 after the department saw there were gaps in services for victim support.
"Officers have a lot to do when they're on scene, all the first responders do," Novak said. "They're trying to get evidence, they're trying to control everything, make sure things are safe, and they have to focus on that. Our privilege is to be there with the families to focus solely on what they need, get their questions answered, make sure communication is maintained on the scene."
She said she would describe her unit as a "connector" between law enforcement and community members.
The care provided by the unit extends after the initial police report.
"I am there to help them apply for victim compensation, provide that emotional support and information and keep tracking people down to try to get some questions answered," Novak said.
The unit also helps to follow through with victim advocates from the prosecutor's office.
The unit currently consists of Novak and 16 volunteers, as they look for community support to expand their work.
Novak said while her position is supported by the city, the unit needs to be able to afford training for volunteer advocates, gear training and means of providing direct assistance to victims such as gas cards and transportation.
"Just trying to build up a fund and also some programming in the future, hopefully identifying creative ways that we can provide support beyond just, you know, calling people and having those in-person meetings, but some nontraditional ways to reach out, too," Novak said.
Sponsored by the Grand Rapids Police Foundation, the unit will be hosting a community game night to reach those in the community.
The event will be on Jan. 18 at the Gerald Ford Metro Lodge #97, located at 1753 Alpine Avenue NW in Grand Rapids. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the event starts at 6 p.m.
Tickets for the event cost $25.
More information on GRPD Victim Services Unit can be found here.
►Make it easy to keep up to date with more stories like this. Download the 13 ON YOUR SIDE app now.
Have a news tip? Email news@13onyourside.com, visit our Facebook page or Twitter. Subscribe to our YouTube channel.
Watch 13 ON YOUR SIDE for free on Roku, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Apple TV and on your phone.