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Texas Department of Criminal JusticeVictim Services Division7800 Shoal Creek Blvd., Suite 230S Austin, Texas 78757-1032 Phone: 1-800-848-4284 Fax: 512-452-0825 E-mail: victim.svc@tdcj.state.tx.us Mailing Address: P.O. Box 13401-3401 Austin, Texas 78711 http://www.tdcj.state.tx.us/victim/victim-home.htm The mission of Victim Services Division is to provide a central mechanism for victims and the public to participate in the Criminal Justice System. The Victim Services Division will strive to reduce victimization through education within an environment of integrity, fairness, compassion, dignity and respect. Services Provided The Clearinghouse serves as a central source of information about services and issues involving crime victims in Texas. Through its toll-free number (1-800-848-4284), the Clearinghouse helps connect victims with community and state resources throughout the state. It is not uncommon for states to have victim offender mediation programs for nonviolent offenses and for the most part, designed to determine the amount of restitution owed. The uniqueness of TDCJ's program is that it is for victims of violent crime. Victims must request the opportunity to have this structured face-to-face meeting with "their" offender. The offender must admit guilt prior to the meeting, and actual mediation is not part of the parole file. Therefore, it is assured that offenders are not participating in order to enhance their chances for parole approval. Through VOM/D, the victim is able to receive answers to unanswered questions, which help in their healing and recovery process. It also gives offenders, in the truest sense, an opportunity to become responsible and accountable for their own behavior. The division is responsible for a 38-point written victim notification system to keep victims informed of an offender's status after conviction and sentencing to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Automated toll-free number is available to victims to obtain status information 24 hours a day. If requested, the automated phone system can call a victim to notify them when an offender is being processed for release. Historically, victims have been excluded from the criminal justice process, which only served to compound their confusion, frustration, pain, and anger. Speaking on a victim impact panel provides victims with an appropriate forum in which to express their feelings and talk about their victimization. Many victims and the general public have differing and, often, erroneous perceptions about what the conditions are in Texas prisons. Many believe offenders are living a life of luxury and are not suffering nearly as much as they should. For this reason, we conduct prison tours for victims, their families, and criminal justice staff. In late 1995, victim advocates and survivors met in Austin, Texas with several members of the Texas Board of Criminal Justice, the nine member oversight board for the agency. Their aim was to petition the Board to allow a capital murder victim’s family the opportunity to view the execution of the offender. Many survivors at the meeting testified that viewing the execution would contribute to their healing process. No victim services program should assume it has all the answers. It is important to have input from victims and other victim service providers when deciding what victim services are needed. The TDCJ Victim Advisory Council consists of approximately thirty representatives from victim advocate groups, state agencies, and local victim service providers. The Training and Education Section of the TDCJ-Victim Services Division is currently developing the schedule for the Victim Assistance 2001 -Tools of the Trade tour.
Texas Office of the Attorney General
The Crime Victim Services Division PO Box 12548 Austin, TX 78711-2548 (800) 252-8011 or (512) 463-2007 (in Austin) http://www.oag.state.tx.us/victims/victims.htm "Assisting Victims of Violent Crime" The Crime Victim Services Divisions' goal is to provide crime victims in Texas the best possible assistance from the Office of the Attorney General. A respect for crime victims underlies our guiding principles to offer our services in a compassionate, efficient, and fair manner to all regions and citizens of our state. The Division's four programs are united in the goal of serving victims of crime and those who assist them.
Crime Victim's Compensation Division PO Box 12198 Austin, TX 78711-2548 1 (800) 983-9933 or (512) 936-1200 (in Austin) Fax: 1 (512) 320-8270 http://www.oag.state.tx.us/victims/cvc.htm Crime doesn't pay, but in Texas, criminals do. Texas courts collect court costs from convicted offenders for the Crime Victims' Compensation Fund. If you are a victim of violent crime, you may be eligible for benefits. Coming of Age Crime Victims' Compensation Program Annual Report 2000 http://www.oag.state.tx.us/AG_Publications/pdfs/2000cvc_annual.pdf
Crime Victims' Institute-004 P.O. Box 12548 300 W. 15th Street William Clements Building Austin, Texas 78711-2548 Phone: (512) 936-1655 Fax: (512) 708-8799 E-mail: cvi@oag.state.tx.us http://www.oag.state.tx.us/victims/cvi.htm#address The purpose of the Crime Victims' Institute is to provide the State of Texas with relevant research and information, program evaluations, and policy recommendations for improving services to crime victims in Texas.
Sexual Assault Prevention and Crisis Services Program PO Box 12548 Austin, TX 78711-2548 Phone: (512) 936-1270 Fax: (512) 936-1650 http://www.oag.state.tx.us/victims/sapcs.htm The Sexual Assault Prevention and Crisis Services Program provides funding and technical assistance to sexual assault programs and some special projects throughout the state.
Training and Victim Assistance Program http://www.oag.state.tx.us/victims/victim_train.htm The purpose of the Training and Victim Assistance Program is to promote a high standard of services to victims by supporting the state's victim service providers through training and by providing direct victim services on cases being handled by the Office of the Attorney General.
Harris County and The City of Houston
Harris County Community Supervision & Corrections Department 49 San Jacinto Houston, Texas 77002 Victim Services Phone: 713-755-2126 http://www.co.harris.tx.us/subscriber/victim/cscdinfo.htm The Harris County Community Supervision and Corrections Department is committed to providing quality services to the courts, victims of crime and the community through effective supervision of offenders by a knowledgeable, dedicated, professional staff who have respect for the dignity of individuals and believe in their capacity for change.
Harris County District Attorney's Office 1201 Franklin, 6th Fl. Houston, TX 77002-1923
Victim Witness ProgramPhone: 713-755-6655 http://www.co.harris.tx.us/jimsweb/victim/dainfo.htm
Crime Victim Information http://www.co.harris.tx.us/subscriber/victim/default.htm This site is intended to provide information to victims of crime regarding their rights, available resources and services.
Offense Inquiry http://www.co.harris.tx.us/subscriber/victim/victim_entry.htm You can inquire by either Case Number or Law Enforcement Agency Offense Number. (Law Enforcement Agency Case #) or (Harris County Case #) Is defendant currently in Harris County jail? If defendant is in jail, when will he/she be released from Harris County jail? Information on case such as next setting date/time and Offense Inquiry system disposition.
City of Houston900 Bagby Houston, Texas 77002 Phone: 713-247-1000 http://www.ci.houston.tx.us/services.htm Mayor's Crime Victims' Assistance OfficePhone: 713-247-1410 Houston Police Department1200 Travis Street Houston, TX 77002 Phone: (713) 247-1000 http://www.ci.houston.tx.us/departme/police/resources_for_victims.htm Victims' Services Phone: 713-535-7900
LOCAL
NGO’s RESOURCES Houston
Heights Chapter of Parents Of Murdered Children, Inc. Hotlines:
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MURDER
VICTIMS FAMILIES