COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado — The Colorado Springs Police Department is seeking volunteers for its Victim Advocacy Unit (VAU). The VAU helps the police department provide critical resources and support crime victims in Colorado Springs.
For many, being a victim of a crime can be a traumatic experience. The VAU provides services and support to the Colorado's Victim Rights Act. Below is a list of some of these services:
- Immediate crisis intervention and safety planning (24-hours a day, 7-days a week on-call victim assistance)
- Information on the Colorado Victim Rights Act (VRA)
- Assistance in completing applications for the Crime Victim Compensation Fund
- Referrals to community agencies and resources
- Support during the investigative process and education on the criminal justice system
- Arrangement of interpretation services for victims with limited English proficiency
- Information and assistance on obtaining protection orders
Volunteers work side-by-side with staff members at the police department. After applying, volunteers will begin 40 hours of specialized training at the VAU Volunteer Victim Advocate Training Academy starting April 4, 2023.
The academy will have four-hour evening classes on Tues. and Thurs. Below is a list of what participants will be trained on:
- Crisis intervention
- Community resources
- Victim Advocacy Unit operations
Volunteers will also gain an understanding of the functions of the Colorado Springs Police Department. Applications close March 12, 2023.
To enroll in the VAU Volunteer Victim Advocate Training Academy, you can fill out an online application at the Springs Community Advancing Public Safety Website. All applicants are required to complete a criminal background check to the enrollment in the training academy.
For questions regarding the VAU Volunteer Program, please contact the VAU Volunteer Specialist, David Shaw at 719-444-7527.
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