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Victim Advisory Council

 
 CAFY Victim Advisory Council

CAFY Victim Advisory Council (CVAC) victim services program should assume it has all the answers. It is important to have input from citizens, victims and other victim service providers when deciding what victim services are needed. 

CAFY is creating an Advisory Council to create the best possible network of services for all victims of crime. We are trying to create a seamless network of services, so that every victim of crime in Prince George’s County can find services that are right for them.  In order to do this, we need to have ongoing contact with victims of crime to make sure that victims’ voices are heard on a variety of topics and issues.

The Council is a volunteer organization that helps assure that Community Advocates for Family & Youth procedures, services and outreach are responsive to the concerns of crime victims and their families.  CAFY seeks to empower victims by offering this opportunity for involvement.

Membership in the CAFY Victim Advisory Council

 The council will have at least 8 victims of crime who identify themselves as victims or survivors of crime or as a person touched by crime.  It is important that members of the council represent the diversity of crime victims in our community, in terms of gender, age, sexual orientation, religion, physical and mental ability, racial and ethnic background, and crime experienced. We ask for a one year commitment to the council.  Childcare is available.

Responsibilities Include:

Meet quarterly, most often at Prince George’s County Police Headquarters, to provide feedback or input on Community Advocates for Family & Youth projects and other relevant issues to victims of crime 
Attend special meetings, as necessary, when available in person or by phone
Prepare for meetings, as necessary, by reading background information provided by Community Advocates for Family & Youth. (for example, proposed surveys or questions)
Make a commitment to participate for one year

Victim Advisory Council Guidelines

1. The CAFY Victim Advisory Council (CVAC) will meet 4 times per year at regularly scheduled times. Meeting days and times will be agreed upon by group members.
2. There is no attendance requirement, but we hope you will attend as often as possible.
3. We do ask that you call in advance (301-390-4092) if you cannot attend.
4. Please try to arrive on time so that we can start and finish on time.
5. We welcome your feedback about the meeting structure, what you like, don’t like, etc.
6. New members must apply in writing and talk to CAFY President before coming to a meeting.
7. CAFY will bring issues and topics for discussion to the council for its review.
8. CAFY will send out an agenda in advance of each meeting.
9. We would like Council members to bring up additional topics for conversation or action. Please call CAFY 2 weeks before the meeting if you’d like to add something to the agenda.
10. Council participation is confidential. CAFY will not identify any council members to anyone outside the group unless we specifically have your permission.
11. Council members agree not to identify each other outside the group unless they specifically have permission to do so.
12. Although it is helpful to understand the background of others’ victimization experience, the Victim Advisory Council is not a support group. Group members may choose to support each other individually outside the meetings, and CAFY can give referrals to anyone who needs a support group or other support services.

For more information about the CAFY Victims Advisory Council (CVAC) call (301) 390-4092 or email admin@communityadvocates.info.


Produced by Community Advocates for Family & Youth.  The hosting of this website was made possible by the support by Office for Victims of Crime, U.S. Department of Justice.  Points of view in this document are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U. S. Department of Justice.