Working to improve the quality of life in Rogers Park since 1952
Victim Advocacy Support Program
The Victim Advocacy Support Program (VASP) began in 1985 as a community-based resource for survivors of all violent crimes. VASP provides crisis intervention counseling, criminal justice advocacy, assistance with filing applications for crime victim compensation, transportation to court proceedings, and referrals to long-term follow-up services.
“Intervention, Information, and Advocacy,” is a collaborative program to better serve survivors of domestic violence. In partnership with the Chicago Police Department's 24th District, Between Friends, and the Council for Jewish Elderly (CJE) Victim/Witness Program, domestic violence victims who have needed police intervention now receive follow-up services.
Through this program by police order, every time the police are called to a domestic incident, a referral card is completed. Each business day VASP advocates collect these referral cards making contact with the survivor and offering services. Our program provides the individual with information on his or her rights and the opportunity to utilize the criminal justice system to stop future incidents of violence.
The Domestic Violence Lock Repair Program provides the funds necessary to hire a contractor to replace locks and doors. The project is funded through CAPS with a grant received from the Allstate Foundation.
In Fiscal Year 2007-2008:
·1,244 individuals were referred to VASP by the Chicago Police Department.
·VASP was successful in making contact with 729 survivors of violent crimes and provided crisis counseling and follow-up services (60%).
·4,381 hours of crisis intervention and court advocacy services were provided.
·172 Orders of Protection through court advocacy were obtained.
·Locks and/or doors were replaced in 10 homes within 24-hours of a domestic violence incident utilizing the 24th and 20th District CAPS lock repair programs.
For more information, please contact Jennifer Caruso, VASP Director at (773) 338-7722,ext. 15 or jennifer@rogerspark.org
INCREASED SUPPORT FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SERVICES
NEEDED
Mary Kay�sTruth About Abusesurvey polled more than 600 domestic violence
shelters nationwide. The findings reveal an alarming trend: three out of four
domestic violence shelters report an increase in women seeking assistance from
abuse since September 2008, a major turning point in the U.S. economy.
Representatives of the shelters reported they have observed an increase in
requests for assistance from domestic violence victims because of the following
reasons:
- Seventy-three percent attribute the rise in abuse to financial
issues.
- Stress and job loss (61 percent and 49 percent, respectively) also proved to
be leading contributing factors in the reported increase in domestic violence
cases involving women.
- The Midwest Region reported a 74% increase.
SUPPORT THE VASP PROGRAM
IN ASSISTING VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE BY DONATING TO THE VASP
TRANSPORTATION FUND
VASP staff members spend countless hours in and out of court working to secure
orders of protection and other important services for local domestic violence
survivors. These valued employees use their own vehicles to make almost
daily trips to the near west side, where the domestic violence court is
located.
In the past, RPCC received funds to defray the costs of paying mileage and
other transportation expenses, but -not surprisingly in this challenging
economy- they have been sharply decreased.
We fully intend to continue delivering high quality services to our clients
despite funding cuts, but we need your support and
assistance. A round trip to court costs approximately
$12.00. Your gift in this modest, but significant amount will help
VASP maintain and continue to expand this vital program.
Rogers Park Community Council . 1530 W. Morse Avenue . Chicago, IL 60626 . Ph:(773) 338-7722 . Fax: (773) 338-7774