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Police victim advocate outlines VOCA-funded services and asks council for support as city grows
Summary
The city's VOCA-funded victim advocate described direct services (crisis response, counseling referrals, kits and stuffed-animal donations) and asked for expanded advocacy staffing as demand rises with city growth.
Lexi, the city's Victim Services advocate, briefed the council on the Victim of Crime Act (VOCA)-funded position and the scope of services provided to survivors of domestic violence and other victimizations. Lexi said the role goes beyond emotional support to teaching healthy coping skills, connecting survivors with counseling, and assembling hygiene kits and comfort items for people leaving abusive situations.
Lexi described common post-victimization risks, including substance use and criminal-justice involvement, and said the job seeks to reduce those secondary harms by connecting survivors to services. She said the job is currently a one-person program and "as soon as possible" she would like a second advocate as the city grows.
Council members asked operational questions: how to donate items (Lexi said contact her directly), whether survivors can access professional counseling (Lexi said almost all of them can be referred), and whether more advocates will be needed (Lexi: yes). The police chief praised Lexi's daily impact, describing after-hours response and support to families.
There was no formal council action on the item; Lexi's presentation was an informational update, and council members expressed support and requests to help identify resources and partnerships to expand the program.
