Victim Services Division
7800 Shoal Creek Blvd., Suite 230S
Austin, Texas 78757-1032
Phone: 1-800-848-4284
Fax: 512-452-0825
E-mail: victim.svc@tdcj.state.tx.us
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 13401-3401
Austin, Texas 78711
http://www.tdcj.state.tx.us/victim/victim-home.htm
The mission of Victim Services Division is to provide a central mechanism for victims and the public
to participate in the Criminal Justice System.
The Victim Services Division will strive to reduce victimization through
education within an environment of integrity, fairness, compassion, dignity and respect.
Services Provided
The Clearinghouse serves as a central source of information about services
and issues involving crime victims in Texas. Through its toll-free number (1-800-848-4284), the Clearinghouse helps connect
victims with community and state resources throughout the state.
It is not uncommon for states to have victim offender mediation programs
for nonviolent offenses and for the most part, designed to determine the amount of restitution owed. The uniqueness of TDCJ's
program is that it is for victims of violent crime. Victims must request the opportunity to have this structured face-to-face
meeting with "their" offender. The offender must admit guilt prior to the meeting, and actual mediation is not part of the
parole file. Therefore, it is assured that offenders are not participating in order to enhance their chances for parole approval.
Through VOM/D, the victim is able to receive answers to unanswered questions, which help in their healing and recovery process.
It also gives offenders, in the truest sense, an opportunity to become responsible and accountable for their own behavior.
The division is responsible for a 38-point written victim notification
system to keep victims informed of an offender's status after conviction and sentencing to the Texas Department of Criminal
Justice.
Automated toll-free number is available to victims to obtain status information
24 hours a day. If requested, the automated phone system can call a victim to notify them when an offender is being processed
for release.
Historically, victims have been excluded from the criminal justice process,
which only served to compound their confusion, frustration, pain, and anger. Speaking on a victim impact panel provides victims
with an appropriate forum in which to express their feelings and talk about their victimization.
Many victims and the general public have differing and, often, erroneous
perceptions about what the conditions are in Texas prisons. Many believe offenders are living a life of luxury and are not
suffering nearly as much as they should. For this reason, we conduct prison tours for victims, their families, and criminal
justice staff.
In late 1995, victim advocates and survivors met in Austin, Texas with
several members of the Texas Board of Criminal Justice, the nine member oversight board for the agency. Their aim was to petition
the Board to allow a capital murder victim’s family the opportunity to view the execution of the offender. Many survivors
at the meeting testified that viewing the execution would contribute to their healing process.
No victim services program should assume it has all the answers. It is
important to have input from victims and other victim service providers when deciding what victim services are needed. The
TDCJ Victim Advisory Council consists of approximately thirty representatives from victim advocate groups, state agencies,
and local victim service providers.
The Training and Education Section of the TDCJ-Victim Services Division
is currently developing the schedule for the Victim Assistance 2001 -Tools of the Trade tour.
Texas Office of the Attorney General
The Crime Victim Services Division
PO Box 12548
Austin, TX 78711-2548
(800) 252-8011 or (512) 463-2007 (in Austin)
crimevictims@oag.state.tx.us
http://www.oag.state.tx.us/victims/victims.htm
"Assisting Victims of Violent Crime"
The Crime Victim Services Divisions' goal is to provide crime victims in
Texas the best possible assistance from the Office of the Attorney General. A respect for crime victims underlies our guiding
principles to offer our services in a compassionate, efficient, and fair manner to all regions and citizens of our state.
The Division's four programs are united in the goal of serving victims
of crime and those who assist them.
Crime Victim's Compensation Division
PO Box 12198
Austin, TX 78711-2548
1 (800) 983-9933 or (512) 936-1200 (in Austin)
Fax: 1 (512) 320-8270
http://www.oag.state.tx.us/victims/cvc.htm
Crime doesn't pay, but in Texas, criminals do. Texas courts collect court
costs from convicted offenders for the Crime Victims' Compensation Fund. If you are a victim of violent crime, you may be
eligible for benefits.
Coming of Age Crime Victims' Compensation Program Annual Report 2000
http://www.oag.state.tx.us/AG_Publications/pdfs/2000cvc_annual.pdf
Crime Victims' Institute-004
P.O. Box 12548
300 W. 15th Street
William Clements Building
Austin, Texas 78711-2548
Phone: (512) 936-1655
Fax: (512) 708-8799
E-mail: cvi@oag.state.tx.us
http://www.oag.state.tx.us/victims/cvi.htm#address
The purpose of the Crime Victims' Institute is to provide the State of
Texas with relevant research and information, program evaluations, and policy recommendations for improving services to crime
victims in Texas.
Sexual Assault Prevention and Crisis Services Program
PO Box 12548
Austin, TX 78711-2548
Phone: (512) 936-1270
Fax: (512) 936-1650
http://www.oag.state.tx.us/victims/sapcs.htm
The Sexual Assault Prevention and Crisis Services Program provides funding
and technical assistance to sexual assault programs and some special projects throughout the state.
Training and Victim Assistance Program
http://www.oag.state.tx.us/victims/victim_train.htm
The purpose of the Training and Victim Assistance Program is to promote
a high standard of services to victims by supporting the state's victim service providers through training and by providing
direct victim services on cases being handled by the Office of the Attorney General.
Harris County and The City of Houston
Harris County Community Supervision & Corrections Department
49 San Jacinto
Houston, Texas 77002
Victim Services
Phone: 713-755-2126
http://www.co.harris.tx.us/subscriber/victim/cscdinfo.htm
The Harris County Community Supervision and Corrections Department is committed
to providing quality services to the courts, victims of crime and the community through effective supervision of offenders
by a knowledgeable, dedicated, professional staff who have respect for the dignity of individuals and believe in their capacity
for change.
Harris County District Attorney's Office
1201 Franklin, 6th Fl.
Houston, TX 77002-1923
Victim Witness Program
Phone: 713-755-6655
http://www.co.harris.tx.us/jimsweb/victim/dainfo.htm
Crime Victim Information
http://www.co.harris.tx.us/subscriber/victim/default.htm
This site is intended to provide information to victims of crime regarding their rights,
available resources and services.
Offense Inquiry
http://www.co.harris.tx.us/subscriber/victim/victim_entry.htm
You can inquire by either Case Number or Law Enforcement Agency Offense Number.
(Law Enforcement Agency Case #) or (Harris County Case #)
Is defendant currently in Harris County jail?
If defendant is in jail, when will he/she be released from Harris County jail?
Information on case such as next setting date/time and Offense Inquiry system disposition.
City of Houston
900 Bagby
Houston, Texas 77002
Phone: 713-247-1000
http://www.ci.houston.tx.us/services.htm
Mayor's Crime Victims' Assistance Office
Phone: 713-247-1410
Houston Police Department
1200 Travis Street
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (713) 247-1000
http://www.ci.houston.tx.us/departme/police/resources_for_victims.htm
Victims' Services
Phone: 713-535-7900
LOCAL NGO’s RESOURCES
The Family Violence Center
15555 Kuykendahl
Houston, TX 77090
BUSINESS
PHONE: 281/885-4673
HOTLINE NUMBER: 1-888-750-4673
http://www.uwtgc.org/irisweb/ap11q2wi.htm
Offers free peer and group counseling, advocacy and emotional support to those suffering from abuse. Staff therapists
are available to both children and adults without restrictions. The FVC also provides a 24-hour hotline, court accompaniment,
and counseling for batterers through PIVOT. Shelter is provided through host homes. Northwest Assistance Ministries
Neighbors
Who Care® (NWC)
PO Box 741961
Houston, TX 77274
BUSINESS PHONE: 713-772-3611
http://www.neighborswhocare.org/
Neighbors Who Care is a nonprofit victims-assistance organization that has now taken up the challenge of a national
call to churches to follow the model of the Good Samaritan. NWC seeks to exhort, equip and organize local churches to reach
out to crime victims with practical assistance and caring support.
Parents of Murdered Children
713-290-8940
Houston Heights Chapter of Parents Of Murdered Children, Inc.
281.227.1366
http://www.pomc.com/heights/
POMC® provides the ongoing emotional support needed to help parents and other survivors facilitate the reconstruction
of a "new life" and to promote a healthy resolution. Not only does POMC help survivors deal with their acute grief, but with
the criminal justice system as well.
Justice For All
713-935-9300
http://www.jfa.net/
JUSTICE FOR ALL shall act as an advocate for change in a criminal justice system that is inadequate in protecting
the lives and property of law abiding citizens.
Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse
713-224-9911
http://www.avda-tx.org
Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse is a private non-profit organization that has been serving the Houston area since
1980. The agency provides a unique blend of services, including advocacy, legal representation, battering intervention and
community education and outreach.
Bay Area Women's Center
281-422-2292
Bay Area
Women's Center - provides temporary emergency shelter to survivors of family violence and sexual assault, 24-hour crisis hotline,
individual and group counseling, advocacy and accompaniment, sexual assault response team, community education and professional
training.
The Bridge Over Troubled Water
713-473-2801
The Bridge Over Troubled Waters,
Inc.- serves family/sexual violence victims. Aids women and children in crisis 24 hours a day. Offers emergency shelter, victim
advocacy, court/hospital accompaniment, support groups, transitional housing program, education and information to victims
Familytime
Foundation, Inc -
281-446-2615
http://www.mcuw.org/html/5g13acrx.htm
Familytime provides assistance with electric bills for elderly and the disabled, Rape crisis intervention, Twenty-four
hour help line, free victim counseling and legal advocacy, shelter for battered women and their children.
Hotlines:
Compassionate Friends Hotline
713-86-CHILD
http://www.compassionatefriends.org/
Grief support after the death of a child. The mission of The Compassionate Friends is to assist families toward
the positive resolution of grief following the death of a child of any age and to provide information to help others be supportive.
Domestic
Violence Hotline
713-528-2121
Rape Crisis Hotline
713-528-RAPE
