Van Buren County Victim Services Unit

The Van Buren County Victim Services Unit is a trained volunteer group under the direction of the Van Buren County Sheriff's Office, the Michigan Sheriff's Association and the Coordination of Tara Bugg and David Hagan. Dedicated to helping victims, survivors and their loved ones work through a crisis or crime, they are the helping hands of the police, fire and medical personnel. The Victim Service

s Unit frees authorities to do their job without leaving victims alone or feeling ignored. The objective of the unit is to assist and their efforts are focused on avoiding further victimization. The unit is designed to comfort and help victims immediately after an incident by providing short-term crisis intervention. Having no personal reference for traumatic events, most victims feel lost and in need of guidance. They can offer answers to such common questions as what happens next, funeral preparations, why an autopsy is needed, why a crime scene takes so long to process and who will guide them through the court system. Referrals can also be made to appropriate agencies and services within the community. On scene, the Victim Services Unit plays a vital role by lending support and assisting victims and witnesses through the initial shock of trauma. The Unit can separate victims from the scene of an investigation while maintaining a link to officers for the victim's questions and concerns. At a secondary site, they can stay after officers leave, working to pull a support system of close friends, family or church personnel into place.