Victim Witness Advocate

The Victim / Witness Assistant shall have the main responsibility for making sure that the maximum service to victims in attained within the budget and time constraints of the program. This person will be responsible for conducting public awareness campaigns, training other agencies and service organizations in victims’ rights, acting as a liaison between the various agencies and providing statute mandated services as well as crises counseling and court advocacy to victims. This person should have the ability to relate to victims in a compassionate manner, have a flexibility to work overtime when crisis situations occur, demonstrate positive regard for the criminal justice system, communicate effectively one-on-one and to groups and have the respect for the confidentiality of victims.

The assistant is under the direct supervisor and control of the County Attorney and subject to all terms, rules and conditions as established by the Board of Crime Control.

Publications

The Criminal Justice System and You: An Informational Guide for Victims of Crime, produced by Montana Attorney General’s Office, Officer of Victim Services, Revised November 2006, covers the following topics:

1. Your Rights
2. Victim Responsibilities
3. Order of Protection
4. V.I.N.E. (Victim Information and Notification Everyday)
5. Crime Victim Compensation
6. Victim Services Programs
7. Victim Services Statewide

Laws on Treatment of Victims and Witnesses

• Title 46, Chapter 24 of the Montana Code governs the treatment of victims and witnesses in criminal cases.

Laws on Partner or Family Member Assault

• Provisions of family law relating to partner or family member assault are found in Title 40, Chapter 15, Montana Code.
• Provisions of criminal law relating to partner or family member assault are found in Title 45, Chapter 5, Part 2 and include Sections 45-5-206 and 45-2-209.

State and Federal Victim Services Offices

• Office of Victim Services (Montana Department of Justice)
• Office of Victims of Crime (U.S. Department of Justice)

Other National Resources

• Victim Services, Forms and Other Documents
  General victim service forms and documents, specific domestic violence forms and documents
• What You Can do if You Are a Victim of Crime – U.S. DOJ
  Information from the U.S. Department of Justice
• The National Center for Victims of Crime
  Information for victim assistance, support, civil litigation and more
• Directory of Crime Victim Services
  Resource to help service providers and individuals locate non emergency crime victim services in the U.S. and abroad
• National Organization for Victim Assistance
  Information and assistance for victims and survivors
• National Center for Elder Abuse
  U.S. Administration on Aging. National resource center dedicated to the prevention of elder mistreatment. A legal guide on how families can procede against Elder abuse can be found here.
• National Crime Victim Law Institute
  A national victims’ rights organization that helps crime victims assert and enforce rights in criminal trial and appellate courts
• Financial Help for Women in an Abusive Relationships
  The guide includes: Tips for preparing to leave an abusive relationship, Advice to regain financial control, A descriptive Q & A with our experts