Anyone can be a victim of crime. The following websites may be of assistance to you:
The PA Crime Victim website (www.pacrimevictims.org) offers information about the criminal and juvenile justice system, available services and how to get help.
VINELink is the online version of VINE ,Victim Information and Notification Everyday,(www.vinelink.com) the National Victim Notification Network. This service allows crime victims to obtain timely and reliable information about criminal cases and the custody status of offenders 24 hours a day. Some states have the ability to display this website in Spanish.
Adult Probation and Parole Department (www.eriecountygov.org/courts/adultprobation/) provides collection of restitution, submission of victim impact statements to judges, pre-sentence investigation, case status information for crime victims and probation/parole violation reporting.
District Attorney’s Office, Community Outreach (www.erie.gov/da/da.asp) represents the victim in court, presents restitution information, reviews victim input on cases, decides plea arrangements, responds to appeals and provides case status information.
Juvenile Probation Department (http://eriecountygov.org/courts/juvenileprobation/) recommends action to the court, follows court instructions relative to offender supervision, sets up guidelines of supervision within discretion granted by the court, provides accountability of offender, collects restitution, reviews apology letters prior to submission to victim services, notifies crime victims upon escape and release requests.
Office of Mental Health/Mental Retardation (http://eriecountygov.org/government/departments/humanservices/mentalhealth/) provides technical assistance and funding to the Crime Victim Center and referrals to other agencies.
United Way of Erie County (http://www.unitedwayerie.org/) makes your caring count. By investing in our community through United Way, your gift is combined with the donations of others. This maximizes the impact you can make on tens of thousands of Erie County residents.
Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape (http://www.pcar.org/) is a statewide nonprofit organization widely respected for its leadership and initiative in working to prevent sexual violence at statewide and national levels. Since its inception in 1975, PCAR has been at the forefront of the anti-violence movement, utilizing its voice to advocate for the rights of countless victims and affect critical change through its active role in public policy, education, training and prevention.
MASV (Men Against Sexual Violence) (http://menagainstsexualviolence.org/) is sponsored by the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape. It is a forum designed to engage males in actively working together with women to eliminate sexual violence. MASV will ask men to personally pledge to never commit, condone or remain silent about sexual violence and to use their resources to support change.
Pennsylvania Office of the Victim Advocate (http://www.pbpp.state.pa.us/ova/site/default.asp) provides an opportunity to better serve crime victims by focusing not only on the notifications and opportunity for input that the Board of Probation and Parole provides, but by looking at the system as the victim does. The Office of the Victim Advocate is dedicated to providing crime victims with a continuum of service throughout the post-sentencing process.
Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (http://www.pccd.state.pa.us/pccd/site/default.asp) upholds a mission to serve as a catalyst for the prevention and reduction of crime and delinquency and to enhance the quality of justice for all Pennsylvanians. The PCCD strives to effect improvements in the criminal and juvenile justice systems by examining problems, proposing solutions and monitoring and evaluating the impact of those solutions.
PA Crime Victims (http://www.pacrimevictims.org) provides information about your rights as a crime victim, services that are available for crime victims, information on the criminal and juvenile justice systems, how to obtain financial assistance and more.
To be notified of the release of an offender from the Erie County Prison, call 1-866-972-7284, or visit the PA Crime Victims website to register with PA SAVIN. PA SAVIN is an automated information and notification service. This service allows crime victims to obtain timely and reliable information about criminal cases and the custody status of offenders 24 hours a day. Victims and other concerned citizens can also register to be notified by phone, e-mail or TTY device when an offender’s custody status changes.
The National Center for Victims of Crime (http://www.victimsofcrime.org/) is recognized as the nation’s leading advocate for crime victims. Since 1985, they have worked with more than 10,000 grassroots organizations and criminal justice agencies serving millions of crime victims. The group’s mission is to forge a national commitment to help victims of crime rebuild their lives.
VINELink (https://www.vinelink.com/vinelink/siteInfoAction.do?siteId=39000) is the online version of Victim Information and Notification Everyday (VINE) – the National Victim Notification Network. This service allows crime victims to obtain timely and reliable information about criminal cases and the custody status of offenders 24 hours a day. Victims and other concerned citizens can also register to be notified by phone, e-mail or TTY device when an offender’s custody status changes. Users can also register through their participating state or county toll-free number.
The Jen and Dave Program (http://www.jendaveprogram.us/) was established in 1997 as the nation’s first statewide, automated system for providing criminal charge information to individuals involved in child custody cases. The information system allows parents to learn if a person involved in their custody case has been charged with a criminal offense.
