PD Victim Services Unit adds two full-time advocates

For victims of crime in Round Rock, more help is on the way.

The Police Department’s Victim Services staff grew by two paid positions in late 2019. The one-year positions are funded by a grant from the State of Texas General Assistance Direct Services Program.

This doubles the number of full-time Victim Advocates from two to four. The Victim Services staff is available 24/7, every day of the year. The Victim Services Unit also features 24 volunteer Victim Advocates that provide hundreds of hours of service annually.

This Unit helps victims and survivors of crime or traumatic events like domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, and homicide. Among the services provided by Victim Advocates are crisis intervention, advocacy, education, information, and referral to other service agencies. They can also assist with securing temporary shelter and accompany victims to court.

The grant total is $134,206, including $26,841 in matching funds from the City of Round Rock. The funds cover staffing and equipment costs. The Police Department plans to apply for an extension of funds for additional years.

“Our Victim Advocates provide a vital service to the Round Rock Police Department and the citizens we serve,” said RRPD Commander Melissa Grubbs. “They may respond to a scene while it is active or in the very early stages of the investigation to provide assistance to victims or families of victims.  This allows our officers and detectives to focus our attention on bringing the offender to justice.  These advocates are among the unsung heroes of the Department.”

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Source: City of Round Rock