![\"First](\"https:\/\/www.safehorizon.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/First-Lady-Chirlane-McCray-NYPD-Announce-Expansion-of-Crime-Victim-Assistance-Program-to-Every-NYC-Precinct-1024x634.jpg\")
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Partnership with Safe Horizon helps crime victims navigate justice system.<\/p>\n
Contact: pressoffice@cityhall.nyc.gov<\/a>, (212) 788-2958<\/p>\n August 22, 2018 (BROOKLYN, NY) \u2014 First Lady Chirlane McCray and New York Police Department announced that the police department will provide more crime victims with the support and resources needed to recover from the trauma of experiencing a crime. The NYPD is expanding the Crime Victims Assistance Program (CVAP)<\/a> to all of the city\u2019s 77 precincts and nine Police Service Areas (PSA), making it the first police department in the country to make such a service available to crime victims citywide.<\/p>\n CVAP is a free and confidential program that pairs crime victims with trained advocates who help mitigate post-event trauma by discussing their safety concerns, legal rights, and ways to navigate the criminal justice system in a meaningful way. NYPD coordinates with Safe Horizon, the largest non-profit services agency in the United States, to provide crime victims with a number of resources, including crisis intervention, access to counseling and support groups, emergency housing or relocation assistance, and information on other local services that can help them with crime-related needs.<\/p>\n \u201cThe pain and emotional vulnerability of being a victim of crime can linger long after the violence or violation has happened. In the safest big city in the country, we don’t want anyone to feel alone and without support,<\/em>\u201d said First Lady Chirlane McCray, who leads the City’s mental health and substance misuse efforts.<\/strong> \u201cThriveNYC is committed to ensuring all crime victims have access to mental health services. By expanding the Crime Victim Advocate Partnership to all 77 precincts and all nine Police Service Areas in NYC, any New Yorker who has been a victim of a crime will have access to the support they need.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThis trailblazing program is the product of seamless collaboration with our partners at Safe Horizon, and New Yorkers\u2019 willingness and ability to share responsibility for public safety,<\/em>\u201d said NYPD Commissioner James P. O\u2019Neill<\/strong>. \u201cIt is an invaluable resource for every New York City neighborhood as police officers and victim advocates work together to keep residents safe, and ensure that they feel safe, too.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCVAP allows us as a city to reach people in great need at a very vulnerable time\u2014immediately following a crime,<\/em>\u201d said Deputy Commissioner for Collaborative Policing Susan Herman<\/strong>.\u00a0\u201cWe are so pleased that victim advocates are now in every precinct and PSA in the city, making it more convenient than ever before to help victims of crime rebuild their lives.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Ensuring CVAP is available citywide supports a central goal of ThriveNYC<\/a>, the roadmap championed by First Lady of New York City Chirlane McCray that aims to help New Yorkers better navigate the city\u2019s mental health services. A major public awareness campaign will roll out this fall to ensure the public is familiar with the services CVAP provides.<\/p>\n \u201cIn New York City no crime victim has to rebuild their life or navigate the system alone,<\/em>\u201d said ThriveNYC Executive Director Alexis Confer.<\/strong> \u201cI applaud First Lady McCray for her leadership in bringing this program to all precincts and PSA\u2019s. I also want to thank the crime victim\u2019s advocates for the important work they do every day to support survivors of crime in our city.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Since its launch in 2016, CVAP has helped thousands of New Yorkers feel safe and assisted in the aftermath of a crime. The program\u2019s positive impact is clear: from the start of the program in July 2016 through July 31, 2018, CVAP advocates across the city have reviewed more than 500,000 police reports to help proactively identify victims who may be in need of their services. During that same time period, CVAP has interacted with approximately 70,000 individuals to make sure they are aware of their rights and options after being victimized by a crime, advocating for nearly 11,000 New Yorkers to help them navigate various services such as housing, mental health, public benefits, and the criminal justice system.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Crime Victim Assistance Program (CVAP) makes key connections between victims and critical supports,<\/em>\u201d said Commissioner of the Mayor\u2019s Office to Combat Domestic Violence Cecile Noel<\/strong>. \u201cFor victims of intimate partner violence, in<\/em>\u00a0particular, these supports are vital to addressing safety concerns, navigating the criminal justice process, and connecting to other support services and resources. We applaud this important and successful partnership between law enforcement and social services.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n CVAP is part of the Department\u2019s broader commitment to drive down crime and strengthen ties to local communities through innovative neighborhood policing. That same commitment made July 2018 the safest on record in New York City and places the department on track to finish 2018 under a total of 100,000 index crimes, which would be only the second time the NYPD has reached this milestone in the CompStat-era.<\/p>\n \u201cNo one deserves to be a victim of violence, crime, or abuse. But when crime happens, it matters that a Safe Horizon CVAP Advocate is there to follow-up and help them. I am proud of CVAP advocates for helping victims in their time of greatest need, delivering services every day that are timely, client-centered and trauma-informed,<\/em>\u201d said Safe Horizon CEO Ariel Zwang<\/strong>. \u201cNow, anyone who has experienced a crime can go into any NYPD precinct or Police Service Area to speak with an advocate who can help with safety planning, address practical needs, and begin the healing process. I am grateful to First Lady Chirlane McCray, Police Commissioner James O\u2019 Neill, and Deputy Commissioner for Collaborative Policing Susan Herman for launching this remarkable program.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n To find nearest NYPD precinct or Police Service Area for CVAP services, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Safe Horizon is the largest non-profit victim services agency in the United States. We touch the lives of more than 250,000 children, adults, and families affected by crime and abuse throughout New York City each year. We provide compassionate and expert support for people who have experienced: Domestic and intimate partner violence, Child physical and sexual abuse, Rape and sexual assault, Human trafficking, Stalking, Youth homelessness, Violent crimes committed against a family member and within communities. Safe Horizon partners with governmental and other community agencies and also advocates for policies on a local, state, and national level on behalf of those affected by violence and abuse.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Safe Horizon CVAP advocates now provide client-centered and trauma-informed services to crime victims in all NYC precincts and PSAs.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":{"id":6235,"alt_text":"First Lady Chirlane McCray NYPD Announce Expansion of Crime Victim Assistance Program to Every NYC Precinct","caption":"","description":"","media_type":"image","media_details":{"width":1200,"height":743,"file":"2018\/08\/First-Lady-Chirlane-McCray-NYPD-Announce-Expansion-of-Crime-Victim-Assistance-Program-to-Every-NYC-Precinct.jpg","sizes":{"thumbnail":{"file":"First-Lady-Chirlane-McCray-NYPD-Announce-Expansion-of-Crime-Victim-Assistance-Program-to-Every-NYC-Precinct-150x150.jpg","width":150,"height":150,"mime-type":"image\/jpeg","source_url":"https:\/\/www.safehorizon.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/First-Lady-Chirlane-McCray-NYPD-Announce-Expansion-of-Crime-Victim-Assistance-Program-to-Every-NYC-Precinct-150x150.jpg"},"medium":{"file":"First-Lady-Chirlane-McCray-NYPD-Announce-Expansion-of-Crime-Victim-Assistance-Program-to-Every-NYC-Precinct-300x186.jpg","width":300,"height":186,"mime-type":"image\/jpeg","source_url":"https:\/\/www.safehorizon.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/First-Lady-Chirlane-McCray-NYPD-Announce-Expansion-of-Crime-Victim-Assistance-Program-to-Every-NYC-Precinct-300x186.jpg"},"medium_large":{"file":"First-Lady-Chirlane-McCray-NYPD-Announce-Expansion-of-Crime-Victim-Assistance-Program-to-Every-NYC-Precinct-768x476.jpg","width":768,"height":476,"mime-type":"image\/jpeg","source_url":"https:\/\/www.safehorizon.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/First-Lady-Chirlane-McCray-NYPD-Announce-Expansion-of-Crime-Victim-Assistance-Program-to-Every-NYC-Precinct-768x476.jpg"},"large":{"file":"First-Lady-Chirlane-McCray-NYPD-Announce-Expansion-of-Crime-Victim-Assistance-Program-to-Every-NYC-Precinct-1024x634.jpg","width":1024,"height":634,"mime-type":"image\/jpeg","source_url":"https:\/\/www.safehorizon.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/First-Lady-Chirlane-McCray-NYPD-Announce-Expansion-of-Crime-Victim-Assistance-Program-to-Every-NYC-Precinct-1024x634.jpg"}},"image_meta":{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0","keywords":[]}},"post":null,"source_url":"https:\/\/www.safehorizon.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/First-Lady-Chirlane-McCray-NYPD-Announce-Expansion-of-Crime-Victim-Assistance-Program-to-Every-NYC-Precinct.jpg"},"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2013],"tags":[897,356,314,997],"class_list":["post-6243","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-statements-and-press-releases","tag-chirlane-mccray","tag-crime-victim-assistance-program","tag-cvap","tag-nypd","issue-child-abuse","issue-domestic-violence","issue-human-trafficking","issue-rape-and-sexual-assault","issue-stalking","issue-homeless-youth"],"acf":{"page_header_title":"","page_header_excerpt":"","page_header_image":"https:\/\/www.safehorizon.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/silhouette_hero_image.png","original_url":"","related_initiative_title":"Interested in learning more about CVAP?","related_initiative_link":"\/our-services\/information-and-options\/crime-victim-assistance-program\/","related_initiative_link_text":"Visit the official CVAP page","featured_posts":[{"ID":5136,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2017-12-13 19:26:32","post_date_gmt":"2017-12-13 19:26:32","post_content":"![\"Javier](\"https:\/\/www.safehorizon.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/Javier-Domestic-Violence-Advocate-at-the-Crime-Victim-Assistance-Program-CVAP-848x1024.jpg\")
\r\n\r\nDecember 13, 2017<\/em>\r\n\r\nAt noon, Javier begins his shift at the 47th<\/sup> police precinct in the north Bronx. He starts by sorting Domestic Incident Reports (DIRs) - he reviews about 45 of them a day. These reports document the details of a domestic violence incident that the police have responded to. He calls each client, identifying himself as a domestic violence advocate from the\u00a0Crime Victim Assistance Program (CVAP).<\/a> CVAP is a cornerstone of New York City\u2019s efforts to improve its response to victims of crime. Implemented by the NYPD and Safe Horizon, and supported by the Mayor's Office of ThriveNYC, and available in precincts and Housing Police Service Areas citywide, the program has dedicated victim advocates for survivors of domestic violence and additional advocates for victims of every other category of crime. CVAP provides supportive counseling, connections to individual or group therapy, and help to navigate the legal and financial challenges that can emerge after a crime has occurred. Two advocates are stationed in each precinct; advocates that assist victims of various crime and advocates like Javier who are solely dedicated to helping survivors of domestic violence.\r\n\r\n\u201cSometimes people aren\u2019t able to speak with officers because they may feel intimidated,\u201d <\/em>Javier explains. \u201cCVAP gives crime victims the chance to speak with advocates like me. Advocates can be a voice and are able to link them to services at the onset of the incident. With CVAP, you have someone calling you after an arrest to check in with you.\u201d<\/em>\r\nJavier\u2019s Passion for Victim Services<\/h2>\r\nJavier first started as a clerical intern at Safe Horizon\u2019s Bronx Criminal Court program<\/a>. Since he is bilingual in English and Spanish, Javier was also able to help Case Managers communicate with Spanish-speaking clients. The internship sparked his passion, \u201cit\u2019s something I can\u2019t explain to this day, but something drew me in. By July I knew I wanted to work here past my internship.\u201d <\/em>Javier worked his way to become a Case Manager and was able to guide clients from crisis to confidence.\r\n\r\n\u201cBy no means is this job easy, but it\u2019s gratifying to help victims of abuse. I help empower them to do what they need to get better and guide them to the resources they need. From the courts to the precincts, they left knowing that someone was there to listen to them outside of the criminal justice realm. That\u2019s what\u2019s has kept me here for 5 years.<\/em>\u201d\r\n\r\n
![\"Javier](\"https:\/\/www.safehorizon.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/Javier-CVAP-Bridging-the-Gap-Between-Criminal-Justice-and-the-Community.jpg\")
\r\nHow Javier Helps Domestic Violence Victims<\/h2>\r\nJavier is extremely careful to practice safety precautions when contacting a\u00a0victim of domestic violence. Since domestic violence is about power and control, the abuser is often close-by and monitoring their behavior.\r\n\r\n\u201cWhen I call a domestic violence victim, I ask if they are safe to speak at this time. If they are, we talk about the status of the incident and any arrest updates. If the domestic violence victim is not safe to speak, I try to give them my information so they can call me back. If there\u2019s any sign that the abuser is near, I ask them to hang up. Sometimes they call back and if they don\u2019t, I reach out to them again the next day.<\/em>\u201d\r\n\r\nJavier says helping domestic violence victims differs from helping other crime victims because there is an emotional aspect behind the crime. \u201cYou have to consider that the other party is someone close to the victim. You have to understand that they care about that person. You have to put your own ideas aside because when they leave your office, you don\u2019t know how what you said could affect them, possibly in a negative way.<\/em>\u201d\r\n\r\nThe other side of being an advocate entails working with law enforcement officials. That\u2019s when his previous experience being a case manager at Bronx Criminal Court program comes in handy. \u201cWhile working at the court program I used to talk to clients 1-on-1 which helped me become comfortable advocating on their behalf within the criminal justice system.<\/em>\u201d\r\n
Making a Difference for Survivors<\/h2>\r\nJavier is proud to be part of this groundbreaking citywide program that unites law enforcement and victim advocacy to help victims of crime and abuse obtain justice and peace. He encourages survivors who face challenges such as immigration status, language barriers, or their gender identity to reach out for help. Javier is here to say all are welcome. \u201cBecause you\u2019re an immigrant doesn\u2019t make a difference. Whether blue, yellow, pink, immigrant or U.S. Citizen, it doesn\u2019t matter, we will help you.<\/em>\u201d\r\n\r\nCVAP advocates are currently in all NYPD precincts. Visit our CVAP page for more information.<\/a>","post_title":"Javier Helps to Bridge the Gap Between Criminal Justice and Community","post_excerpt":"\"I\u2019ve always wanted to help people in every capacity, and work in a field where I can make an impact.\"<\/em> \u2013 Javier","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"javier-bridging-criminal-justice-community-cvap","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-06-10 23:40:38","post_modified_gmt":"2020-06-10 23:40:38","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"http:\/\/www.safehorizon.org\/?p=5136","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}]},"yoast_head":"\n