PROJECT VICTIM SERVICES
Services for Victims of Crime
Project Victim Services works every day to assure that crime victims in Rhode Island are treated with respect and dignity. We take pride in offering new beginnings to individual victims and victimized businesses.
Through our advocacy and providing services within the Rhode Island District Court, Project Victim Services keeps victims informed of the status of their case. We aid victims in collecting meaningful restitution and by making proper referrals. A key part of our mission is to help victims understand and participate in their court cases. As we offer a helping hand to our fellow citizens, we magnify our effectiveness by partnering with our fellow victim service providers.
RI’s “Victims’ Bill of Rights” was inspired by Justice Assistance.
In 1983, Jonathan J. Houston, the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Justice Assistance, authored Rhode Island's 'Victims' Bill of Rights.' In 1985, with private sector support, Project Victim Services was designed and implemented. In 1986, Mr. Houston authored Article 1, Section 23 of the State Constitution, further outlining the rights afforded a crime victim. This constitutional amendment was the first of its kind in the United States.
Our role in the Victim Services Process
VICTIM NOTIFICATION is the first step within Justice Assistance's victim service delivery construct. Each crime victim receives the initial notification from Justice Assistance. This notification informs the victim as to their respective offender's court outcome, and it will detail the court-ordered sanction(s). Court ordered sanctions may include, but are not limited to the following: state certified domestic violence counseling, substance abuse counseling, mental health counseling and/or monetary restitution to the victim for a loss as it relates to the corresponding court case.
VICTIM (INDIVIDUAL) STATEMENT OF LOSS completion may present as an overwhelming task, especially in the recent aftermath of the incident that brought the victim into the justice system. The victim Statement of Loss (SOL) is an integral part of this time-sensitive process and is essential to establish restitution. Justice Assistance provides assistance with questions and/or concerns as they relate to the SOL and the correlating incident. Questions may involve a victim's insurance company and general question and/or confusion regarding estimates and/or receipts for any loss or damage incurred. Justice Assistance has decades of valuable experience to draw upon when we assist the individual who receives services through our office. We are proud to be able to boast of our tremendous success rate of offender restitution repayment, insuring a subsequent return of court-ordered restitution to the victim.
VICTIM (BUSINESS) STATEMENT OF LOSS completion may present a challenge to the business agent responsible for its completion. Justice Assistance has a bounty of experience in assisting business owners and managers. The business Statement of Loss (VSOL) involves questions and concerns that address the business and its respective loss and/or damage(s). We are pleased to contribute toward the betterment of our community through the collection and subsequent return of restitution to our Rhode Island community and its businesses.
VICTIM REIMBURSEMENT to individual victims as well as business victims, represent the payments that a respective offender has made toward their determined restitution total.