Victim Services Unit

Overview

Holland's Victim Services Unit (VSU) is an organization of volunteers dedicated to providing initial support needed by victims of crisis or crime. VSU responds to incident types including Fires, Traffic Accidents, Medical Emergencies, Rapes, Missing Persons, Robberies, Deaths, Drownings, Natural Disasters, Homicides, Industrial Accidents, Plane Crashes, Shootings, Assaults, and Death Notifications.

When a sudden, unexpected crisis occurs, VSU volunteers respond to these challenges and provide essential support to victims and survivors.

• Provide comfort and emotional support.
• Help arrange for shelter, food, and clothing.
• Notify family and friends.
• Serve as liaison between the victim and other agencies.
• Help arrange follow-up services.
• Provide information and referral to appropriate agencies for ongoing assistance.

The VSU provides 24/7/364 coverage for Holland residents. VSU volunteers are scheduled as teams to be on-call for 12-hour shifts (a.m. or p.m.), for seven-day periods to provide initial support for victims. Police and Fire personnel, when necessary, contact 911 dispatchers to request VSU assistance. The on-call VSU team is paged to respond immediately to the scene.

Required training courses include crisis intervention skills, victimology, legal procedures, law enforcement and resource information.

• Must be at least 21 years old.
• Have an open, non-judgment attitude with genuine concern and empathy for crime victims and tragedy survivors.
• Able to cooperate with police, staff and other agencies.
• Excellent interpersonal communications skills.
• Must have own transportation and telephone.
• Be willing and able to follow regulations for appropriate Victim Advocate behavior.
• Must have the necessary availability (be able to respond within 15-20 minutes).
• Possess a valid driver's license.

Must commit no less than one year to the advocate program. Attend monthly meetings and continuing education and training. Be on-call Monday through Sunday for 12-hour shifts one week out of every four as a minimum.