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West Valley victim advocates report service demand and warn of grant reductions
Summary
Victim services staff said the six-person West Valley advocacy team has assisted more than 1,000 people this year but were notified of significant grant reductions that could affect emergency financial assistance and other services.
Natalie Martinez Purdy, a victim advocate with West Valley City, updated the council on the city’s victim services team and warned that recent grant reductions threaten emergency financial assistance and other support.
Purdy said the team of six advocates assists victims across the city with court notifications and accompaniment, on-scene support, protective-order information, referrals to shelter and therapy, and emergency financial assistance such as short-term housing support. She said the team has helped more than 1,000 victims so far this year and that four advocates speak Spanish to serve non‑English-speaking clients.
The advocates have been heavily involved in response to the recent and tragic incident at West Fest, assisting direct victims, witnesses and family members with funeral arrangements, therapy referrals and coordination with law enforcement.
Purdy told council members: “Unfortunately, just last week, we did find out that we are losing a lot of our grant money. So we’re not really sure what how that's gonna affect us at this point to be able to assist people, especially with our emergency financial assistance.” Council members thanked the advocates and asked whether staff have contingency plans; Purdy said the team is working to identify options but did not specify additional funding sources at the study meeting.
No formal action was taken during the study session; council members expressed appreciation for the team’s work and noted the need to track grant funding and program continuity.
