Network Of Victim Assistance

Programs: Crisis support and counseling: it is normal for many victims of crime to experience such emotions as shock, denial, fear and anxiety following a rape, assault or other crime. Nova's licensed professional counselors offer individual and group counseling free of charge to help victims understand these reactions and learn strategies to help them cope. In fiscal year ending june 30, 2017, 3,487 victims and their significant others received 11,931 hours of hotline support, counseling and case management from one of nova's three offices or through its mobile school counseling program, which makes counseling services more accessible to children and teens. A range of support and counseling groups including those for victims of childhood sexual assault, victims in drug and alcohol recovery, teen rape victims, and family members of homicide victims were provided during the year.

crime victim advocacy: nova offers individual advocacy, outreach and accompaniment services to help victims of crime exercise their rights in the criminal justice system and recover from the physical, emotional and financial trauma of victimization. In the fiscal year ending june 30, 2017, nova staff, with help from trained volunteers, provided 13,748 hours of advocacy and accompaniment to legal proceedings to bucks county crime victims and their family members. Nova also worked collaboratively - through the children's advocacy center - with law enforcement, the district attorney and children and youth to help ensure 302 coordinated investigations of child abuse in bucks county. The organization also coordinated statewide crisis response to incidents of mass violence, and provided outreach, support and personal safety education to isolated older adults at risk of abuse.

prevention and education: nova seeks to reduce the incidence of violence and victimization through prevention and risk reduction education programs in schools and the community while increasing the sensitivity and skills of those who work with victims through professional training programs. During the fiscal ending june 30, 2017, nova educators provided 1,077 programs to 24,775 students , teachers and parents on such topics as personal safety, bullying, cyber safety and healthy relationships and continued to expand its programming for children with disabilities. An additional 370 trainings were provided to copmmunity members and professionals to enhance their skills working with victims, understand their responsibilites in reporting abuse, and increase awareness of personal safety skills and victimization issues. Finally, nova further developed in-house capabilities to utilize technology in nova's own professional training institute. Nova seeks to identify outcomes in all that we do. Pre- and post-tests indicated that 100% of participants acquired new knowledge and strategies to help reduce risk and violence in their homes, schools and communities and to promote early intervention with victims.