Victim Services Program

Mission Statement: It is the mission of Mountain Comprehensive Care Center's Victim Services Program to serve victims of interpersonal violence and their families and to educate the community regarding the prevention of violence in an effort to improve that quality of life in the Big Sandy Region.

    The Victim Services Program is a specialized service FREE to survivors of child abuse and neglect, sexual assault, and/or domestic violence. Services range from counseling and therapy services, to advocacy services, to community outreach, prevention and education programs, to consultation and referral services. The Victim Services Program can provide services to any victim of abuse, neglect, sexual assault or domestic violence, as well as to a family member or friend of a victim having difficulty dealing with those issues.

    The Victim Services Program has specially trained therapists to provide counseling and therapy services. These may include evaluation and medication management in conjunction with outpatient psychotherapy.  Therapy is available to any victim of a crime regardless of the person's income, medical insurance or ability to pay under a special program. Children, adolescents, adult women and men and the elderly dealing with the impact of abuse, neglect, sexual assault or domestic violence are all able to receive services through the Victim Services Program.

    Crisis response is available through the 24 hour HELPLINE at 1-800-422-1060. Crisis telephone calls related to issues of child abuse or neglect, sexual assault and domestic violence are referred to a specially trained person. Referrals and information for medical, legal and law enforcement questions are available through the HELPLINE.

    The Victim Advocate is located in the Prestonsburg office and is available to the entire region to provide legal and medical advocacy to survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence or child abuse. The advocate may assist them in understanding the court process, knowing their rights and resources, and preparing for legal actions. In addition, the advocate is available to accompany victims and their families to court hearings and trials, and meetings with legal counsel. The Victim Advocate may also assist victims filing Victim Compensation Claims, submitting a Victim Impact Statement, registering for the Victim Information Notification Everyday (VINE) program to be notified of a convicted offender's release, and looking up registered sexual offenders on the internet.

    The Victim Services Program is also available to provide medical advocacy to victims who are seen in local hospital emergency rooms for matters related to sexual assault or domestic violence. Trained medical advocates are available 24 hours a day to assist victims and their family members in negotiating the medical treatment or examinations as needed.

    Volunteer Opportunities are available for interested individuals to become Volunteer Medical Advocates or Program Volunteers. For more information regarding these 2 types of Volunteer Programs contact the Volunteer Coordinator: lspurlock@mtcomp.org or 886-4323.

    Prevention and education are crucial in reducing the incidence of all types of interpersonal violence. The Victim Services Program Outreach Education Coordinator is available to bring a variety of educational programs to schools, childcare facilities, colleges and universities, professional groups, medical facilities, community groups, religious groups, and any other interested agency or organization. These programs provide a curriculum on a wide range of topics including: personal safety for children, effects and impact of child abuse, recognizing signs of abuse and neglect, reporting child abuse and neglect, dating violence, sexual assault awareness, sexual harassment, stalking, domestic violence, mandatory reporting of domestic violence, domestic violence and sexual assault, legal aspects of interpersonal violence, and elder abuse and neglect. Presentations are tailored to fit the needs of the group as necessary. The Outreach Education Coordinator is based in the Prestonsburg office and is available to all counties within the Big Sandy Region.

    Consultation and information is always available through  the Victim Services Program to other mental health professionals, professionals in other fields, and the community at large. Consultation may be on a case-by-case basis, and in-service workshops are also available. The Victim Services Program can also assist professionals and community members with information about resources available for related areas including referrals to shelters, medical providers, legal counsel, public assistance, educational and vocational programs, support groups and other resources.

    For more information, please call the Victim Services Program at (606) 886-4397 or  Email VSP. Your local MCCC Outpatient Clinic can be reached at one of the following numbers:

Other related Websites:

www.kasap.org