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Youth Victim Services
The Youth Victim Services (YVS) program works with victims of juvenile crime and significant others to address their needs or safety concerns, answer questions about the commitment and placement process, and provide assistance with accessing appropriate referrals.
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The program also provides outreach and community education regarding the juvenile crime, its' programs and the services available to victims. The agency works with community partners to provide individuals and families the support needed to recover from a criminal act.
Support Services
The STARS YVS works side by side with the youth and his/her family to provide the needed support and advocacy after victimization. We work with the family to provide:
Safety and Support
Non-Pressuring Environment
Information
Privacy
Respect, Empowerment, and Hope
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The STARS YVS victim advocates will assist the family in understanding how to report a crime to police or child protective services and what to expect at different points during the process. Our small groups and individual advocacy can help with emotional support and counseling to heal from victimization. We provide advocacy and accompaniment while dealing with the educational, medical, social service, and legal systems. We work with community partners and agencies to make referrals when needed.
Always call the police if you or a youth victim needs emergency help or to report a crime.
How Youth Victims May React to Crime
Changes in eating or sleeping habits
Aggressive or inappropriate behavior
Mood swings
Attention-seeking behavior
Increased risk-taking
Difficulty concentrating
School absences
This is a small list, and one or more of these behaviors doesn’t necessarily mean a youth has been victimized, but rapid changes in personality or temperament may indicate an underlying trauma or victimization
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