On today’s episode, we meet Erin, the direct services supervisor of victim services of Montgomery County. Erin and her coworkers work specifically with victims of crime except for domestic violence.  

 These services are provided for free, and no insurance or co-pays are needed.  You don’t need to be documented.  They don’t want any barriers to prevent someone from getting services that they may need.

 Someone might not seek out this team's services on their own.  The team gets referrals in various ways including hospitals after a medical treatment or an officer.  

 The services can vary depending on the need of the client but happens after the fact of the crime.  The team is there for advocate and therapy.  Advocacy services are there to help those who have or are contemplating reporting or have reported.  They help set up reasonable expectations and are just there for the person in a scary time.  The outside world doesn’t understand the weight that something like this can be.  

 There’s the medical piece.  We help provide crisis support.  We will walk you through all your options.  The last piece is therapy.  We work with anyone from 5 years old and up. 

How do you counsel someone who doesn’t see themselves as a victim?  We are empowerment based.  If they don’t want to be there, then Erin and the team will honor that and let them know they are here if they ever change their mind. However, if they don’t see themselves as a victim but the team is able to meet and support you where you are.  The team will educate and provide a safe space for them.  Erin and the team must understand the law so when a client is describing a situation, they have the ability to let them know if what they have said is or is not a crime that had happened to them. 

 Tune in next week where we will continue the conversation with Erin and learn how she got started in this line of work.  

If you need support google victim services in your county or RAINN

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Music credit: Eco Technology by Lexin_Music