Victim-Witness Assistance Services

08/16/2022

Sign up today!

07/15/2022

Starting July 16th, 988 will be a universal entry point so that no matter where you live in the U.S., you can easily access 24/7 emotional support.

In the meantime, please continue to share 1-800-273-TALK (8255) to be connected with a trained, caring counselor.

We're here for you.

05/05/2022

Photos from National Indigenous Women's Resource Center's post

05/05/2022

Timeline photos

It’s time to hold our government accountable in addressing the crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women. During the National Week of Action for MMIW, join NIWRC in these 3 calls to action:
👆🏽Urge your Senators to pass reauthorization with key Tribal provisions: n8ve.net/Ts6M5
✌🏽Tag The Justice Department, Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland, and the US Interior on social media and demand they immediately implement the Not Invisible Act
🤟🏽Tag the Justice Department and the FBI on social media and demand they improve MMIW data collection under Savanna’s Act

05/02/2022

This Saturday, team VWAS Village braved the stormy weather and unwelcomed swarms of bugs to complete the

Whether you ran by the river with some geese, relaxed at home, or anything in between, we hope you had a refueling weekend and found some time to practice self care!

04/29/2022

Join us tomorrow (April 30th) in bringing awareness & showing support for crime victims' rights, by registering for NOVA'S (National Organization for Victim Assistance) virtual 5K!

Registration is free & open to anyone-anywhere! Run/jog/skip/dance/walk at your own pace, on your own time, in this fun community event that spreads awareness though movement.

Join solo, form a team, or...

Register under our team name and join the victim witness village!
Team: VWAS Village

Our is this Friday and Saturday! Visit our page to join us for the ! https://www.trynova.org/ncvrw/
Enter for a chance to receive a free one-year
Premier Membership or a NOVA training academy of your
choice by tagging on social media on 04/29 & 4/30 and by using the hashtag !
Gather your friends and colleagues and pets and get moving! Show your Advocacy in Action! We can't wait to see all of you online!

04/29/2022

Starting today through May 5th is the National Week of Action for MMIW. There will be virtual events held all week long hosted by The National Partners Work Group on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) and the MMIW Family Advisors, to call to action and honor missing and murdered Indigenous women.

Locally-
* The North Central Montana Human Trafficking and Missing and Murdered Indigenous People Task Force will be dispersing red sand in the cracks of sidewalks to symbolize the many Indigenous women and girls who have "fallen through the cracks" and whose families are without justice.

* Great Falls Public Schools will hang student-made dresses near Paris Gibson Education Center (2400 Central Ave.) to bring awareness to the crisis.

National Week of Action - Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls is April 29-May 5, 2022

The National Partners Work Group on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) and the MMIW Family Advisors are organizing a National Week of Action to call the nation and the world to action in honor of missing and murdered Indigenous women. Take action by participating in these virtual events, exploring their list of resources, and organizing additional actions in your communities on and around May 5th.

To register for these events and learn more, visit: http://ow.ly/OcXf50IElTW

04/28/2022

2022 NCVRW Theme Video

National Crime Victims' Rights Week was established to commemorate & honor victims of crime. This years theme highlights the importance of—rights, access, & equity, for all victims—and the importance of helping crime survivors find their justice.

As Victim Witness Advocates, we work diligently to uphold these standards to provide support for crime victims in Cascade County. We understand how difficult it can be to navigate the legal system—with many moving parts and frequent new interactions—it is easy to become overwhelmed and lost. We are here to help bridge that gap, by being a stable constant you can turn to when you need support or clarification. We will support you every step of the way.

As professional advocates, equity and victims rights are the driving forces of our program. Not only do we understand and honor the diversity of our community, we also understand the diversity of victimization. Everyone has the right to equitable support services, and the right to justice. No one should have to battle traumas alone, let us support you.

04/28/2022

This week commemorates National Crime Victims' Rights Week. Today they will be live streaming a candlelight vigil in honor of victims of crime. Follow their link to RSVP to the viewing!

Join OVC in commemorating . Watch livestreams of the 2022 NCVRW Candlelight Vigil on April 28 from 6:30 to 7:30 pm ET and the 2022 National Crime Victims’ Service Awards Ceremony on April 29 from 3:00 to 5:00 pm ET. https://go.usa.gov/xunpD

04/22/2022

Building upon your own family’s strengths and supporting each other to do the same is one of the many ways we can work together to break the cycle of abuse.

Families are diverse, coming in all sizes and forms - let’s celebrate our diversity and teach our kids the strength in community and empathy.

Read about more ways we can build prevention support in our own neighborhoods:

http://www.loveourchildrenusa.org/about/public-awareness/building-community-support

04/22/2022

Did you know that RAINN (R**e, Abuse & In**st National Network), the nation's largest anti-s*xual violence organization, has an inclusive list of resources for s*x assault survivors and their loved ones?

There is true power in numbers - and power in representation.

https://www.rainn.org/national-resources-s*xual-assault-survivors-and-their-loved-ones

04/21/2022

April is also child abuse awareness month. Child abuse and neglect are public issues, not parenting issues. By bringing cases of child abuse into the light we break down the control the abuser once had. Learn ways we as a community can come together to protect one of our most vulnerable populations.

Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline:
1-800-422-4453

Protective Factors Conversation Guides:
*These guides were created to help service providers engage caregivers in personalized conversations about the protective factors
*Can be used one-on-one, as part of structured activity for a larger group, and virtually
www.childwelfare.gov/topics/preventing/preventionmonth/resources/conversation-guides/

What Are Protective Factors?
-Conditions or attributes in individuals, families, and communities that promote the health and well-being of children and families

Factor 1: Nurturing and attachment
Factor 2: Knowledge of parenting for child and youth development
Factor 3: Parental resilience
Factor 4: Social Connections
Factor 5: Concrete support for parents
Factor 6: Social and emotional competence of children

04/21/2022

April is s*x assault awareness month. Being educated about s*x assault & the resources available is one of the biggest ways we can break the stigma, and make a positive step forward toward change.

National S*x Assualt Hotline:
1-800-656-4673

How Can The Hotline Help?
*Confidential support from a trained staff member
*Support finding a local health facility that is trained to care for survivors of s*x assault and offers services like s*xual assault forensic exams
*Someone to help you talk through what happened
*Local resources that can assist with your next steps towards healing and recovery
*Referrals for long term support in your area
*Information about the laws in your community
*Basic information about medical concerns

More Information & Resources:
www.rainn.org

12/02/2021

Thank you to all who made a donation for GivingTuesday! With the decrease in grant funding for the next two years, every dollar donated truly does count! Thank you so much for helping us continue to help others! Here is another opportunity to help your favorite non-profit 😉

🤝NOMINATE YOUR FAVORITE NONPROFIT!🤝 At SCHEELS "we do good in our community" is a treasured saying. We need YOU 👈 to help us decide which organizations to donate to this year! Ten charities will each receive a $1,000 gift. 💸 Give us the name of your Nonprofit in the comments, and then follow the link below to officially submit your nomination. The link will be active until Sunday, December 12th. Then, stay tuned to see if your charity is a lucky recipient! 🎁

09/22/2021

Meet Malik. When Malik becomes both witness and victim to a criminal incident involving his neighbor, he speaks with counselors, prosecutors, and advocates while also testifying in court. We hope children ages approx. 7-12 can follow and relate to Malik’s story in OVC’s Child Victims and Witnesses Support Materials. https://ovc.ojp.gov/child-victims-and-witnesses-support/family-dependency-court?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_content=kids-in-court&utm_campaign=resources -for-ages-7%E2%80%9312

08/04/2021

07/29/2021

How a new law aims to help Montana victims of violence

How a new law aims to help Montana victims of violence

Law enforcement responded to more than 4,000 cases of domestic violence in Montana in 2019

07/22/2021

President Biden delivers remarks and signs H.R. 1652, the VOCA Fix to Sustain the Crime Victims Fund Act of 2021, into law; THE VICE PRESIDENT also attends

We are hopeful the VOCA fix will truly help our victim services programs. VOCA is how our nonprofit, Victim-Witness Assistance Services is funded and because of the decrease in VOCA funds this last funding cycle, we are hurting and may be struggling to keep our doors open by the end of our 2-year grant period. Although we serve well over 1000 crime victims and families each year, most people don't know about us unless something bad has happened, and even more people don't know we are a nonprofit. We have TWO advocates available 24/7 and currently have 433 open cases we are actively working on. Each of those represents a child, a woman, a man, and/or entire family facing trauma because of some kind of victimization. We work behind the scenes to ensure crime victims understand their rights in the criminal justice process, are kept informed about the court hearings, and have support through it all. Please keep our local Victim-Witness program in mind when considering charitable donations ❤

06/21/2021

Support Victim-Witness Assistance Services Inc by shopping at AmazonSmile.

Happy Prime Day! While shopping the deals the next couple of days, please select Victim-Witness Assistance Services Inc as your preferred charity at smile.amazon.com/ch/81-0465054. Remember to shop for deals at smile.amazon.com, or with AmazonSmile ON in the Amazon app, and AmazonSmile will donate to VWAS at NO COST to you! Every little bit helps!

When you shop at AmazonSmile, Amazon will donate to Victim-Witness Assistance Services Inc. Support us every time you shop.

12/23/2020

Scheels Helping Hands Community Giveaway

We are so thankful to be a recipient of this generous donation! Thank you Scheels and all who nominated us ❤

10/21/2020

THANK YOU Mrs Wrights Pastys!!! So appreciated and can't wait to try the breakfast pasty!

04/22/2020

2020 National Crime Victims' Rights Week (NCVRW) Theme Video Clip

It is National Crime Victims' Rights Week. In the midst of all the uncertainty in the world right now, we are still working every day to ensure crime victims in our area have access to information, support, and services. If you or someone you know has been directly affected by crime, please contact us and ask how we can help ♥
If you would like to invest in our program to help us continue to serve crime victims, you can find the donation button on our page or contact Nichole at 406-315-1114 or by email at [email protected].

OVC encourages organizations to use the introductory theme video clip throughout the year at public awareness, education, and training events in local commun...

03/27/2020

Hello from your advocates at VWAS!

~ Although we are taking necessary precautions to keep our staff and others safe, we want you to know that we are still here to help. We are limiting some of the in-person meetings and our in-office hours may be adjusted a bit as well, but we understand that people in our community still need support and we are honored to be here for you.

~ The courts are still operating as normal as possible and our men in women in law enforcement are still here to serve. That means we will continue to provide services as well. Many questions can be answered over the phone, so please call us at 315-1111. If no one answers, please leave a message and we will call you back as soon as possible. You can also send us a message here or email our director at [email protected]

~ If you are the victim of a crime and have not heard from us with court updates or have questions about how we can help, please reach out! We may not have received a referral, so we may not know to contact you.

~ We know this is a stressful time and we wish you all safety and health as we get through this together! ♥

02/06/2020

This App Helps Survivors Of Domestic Violence Get Economic Justice

This App Helps Survivors Of Domestic Violence Get Economic Justice

The Compensation Compass helps survivors seek the economic support they need — from medical bills to relocation fees.

07/22/2019

Cascade County Sheriff/Coroner's Office

Cascade County Sheriff/Coroner's Office

It’s finally here, our online Inmate Jail Roster!

http://www.cascadecountymt.gov/departments/sheriffs-office

KFBBKRTV Great Falls falls tribune The Electric Great Falls MT Police Department KTVH

07/15/2019

Support Victim-Witness Assistance Services Inc by shopping at AmazonSmile.

Happy Prime Day! For those of you looking for good deals and who want to donate to Victim-Witness at no additional cost to you, please log into your Amazon account through Amazon Smile ☺ smile.amazon.com/ch/81-0465054

When you shop at AmazonSmile, Amazon will donate to Victim-Witness Assistance Services Inc. Support us every time you shop.

06/20/2019

Emergency room team at Benefis specializing in s*xual assault cases

Emergency room team at Benefis specializing in s*xual assault cases

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04/26/2019

North Central Montana Human Trafficking and MMIP Task Force

01/31/2019

Community Connection: Grief Support Meetings

Grief Support meetings. Please see the article for more information.

O'Connor and Schnider Funeral Homes are now offering grief support meetings.

01/22/2019

Did you know Victim-Witness Assistance Services is a Non-Profit organization? We offer free and confidential services to victims of crime in Cascade County. Please keep us in mind when making charitable contributions! ♥

01/22/2019

We want to wish you all a late Happy New Year! VWAS advocates have been very busy so far this year, and we are here to help answer your questions and provide support!
In 2018, we provided over 18,000 services to 1,107 victims in our community. As part of our 24/7 crisis response, we responded to 97 crisis calls in the last year to provide support and assistance at the Emergency Room, GFPD or CCSO, or at the scene of the incident.
We are proud to serve our community and welcome any questions you may have about our services and what is available in Cascade County to better serve you!

01/17/2019

I’ve Talked With Teenage Boys About S*xual Assault for 20 Years. This Is What They Still Don’t Know

I’ve Talked With Teenage Boys About S*xual Assault for 20 Years. This Is What They Still Don’t Know

Author Laurie Halse Anderson shares her insights into what we aren't telling our boys

01/15/2019

The New Birds and Bees: Teaching Kids About Boundaries and Consent

The New Birds and Bees: Teaching Kids About Boundaries and Consent

What we can learn from the Dutch: Talking openly about bodies helps keep shame at bay, and may help a child speak up if there is a problem.

11/21/2018

Support Victim-Witness Assistance Services Inc by shopping at AmazonSmile.

This Black Friday, score deals at smile.amazon.com/ch/81-0465054 and AmazonSmile donates to Victim-Witness Assistance Services Inc.

We hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

When you shop at AmazonSmile, Amazon will donate to Victim-Witness Assistance Services Inc. Support us every time you shop.

11/21/2018

Victim-Witness Assistance Services's cover photo

11/21/2018

Victim-Witness Assistance Services's cover photo

11/01/2018

Support Victim-Witness Assistance Services Inc by shopping at AmazonSmile.

AmazonSmile is donating 5% (ten times the usual amount) to Victim-Witness Assistance Services Inc when you shop at smile.amazon.com/ch/81-0465054 through Nov 2. Halloween is over - time to do some Christmas shopping! ☺

When you shop at AmazonSmile, Amazon will donate to Victim-Witness Assistance Services Inc. Support us every time you shop.