EVERETT – The person on the other end of the phone will understand about the pain, humiliation and helplessness or fear.
The volunteer also will know who can help.
A 24-hour hotline now connects crime victims to the new Snohomish and Island Counties Crime Victim Assistance Center.
The center, launched Wednesday, is one of 13 around the state to bring together several social service agencies to help crime victims.
“The center will address victims of crimes, who had little or no recourse before,” said Jenny Wieland, executive director of Family and Friends of Violent Crime Victims. “We will be able to reach a greater number of victims.”
The center isn’t housed in one building. Victims instead can call the hotline, where volunteers provide crisis intervention or direct callers to free resources in the community.
“People don’t know who to call. They feel like they don’t have anyone to call, but there are groups out there to help,” Snohomish County Sheriff Rick Bart said.
Everett-based Family and Friends of Violent Crime Victims is the lead agency for the center, working with other groups.
In the past, the agency has primarily served violent crime victims and their families.
“Now, we’ll be able to help victims of identity theft, child abuse, hate crimes, gang violence or elder abuse,” said Carla Hackett, the group’s public relations director.
The center was funded by a federal Victims of Crime Act grant.
The grant also means Virginia Mason Separation and Loss Services will now be able to offer a local therapy group for adult family members and friends whose loved one was murdered or committed suicide, said Fanny Correa, clinical director.
The first 10-week session begins May 22 at Providence Everett Medical Center.
Before, people seeking help had to travel all the way to Seattle. “It is a long way to drive for someone who is already suffering,” she said.
The center also has resources to help minorities and senior citizens through partnerships with the Chinese Information and Service Center, Senior Services and the Immigrant and Refugee Forum.
Crime victim help
Snohomish and Island Counties Crime Victim Assistance Center can be reached 24 hours a day at 800-346-7555.
Services are provided by the following partners:
* Chinese Information and Service Center
* Families and Friends of Violent Crime Victims
* Providence Everett Sexual Assault Center
* Senior Services
* Virginia Mason Separation and Loss Services
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