Victim and Witness Support Officer

Key and Critical Responsibilities

<ul><li> Assesses the needs of victims and witnesses of crime and tailor's solutions to suit those needs.</li><li> Assists victims and witnesses of crime to cope with trauma and other effects of crime through therapeutic and psychological intervention methods.</li><li> Advises victims and witnesses of crime on the progress of investigations and the prosecution of cases.</li><li> Provides victims of crime with early assistance to prevent repeat victimization.</li><li> Establishes a system to identify repeat victims quickly and accurately.</li><li> Prepares monthly, quarterly, annual and other reports as may be requested.</li><li> Serves as a member of the Crisis Response Team, providing immediate on-scene support to victims of crime and traumatic incident.</li><li> Participates in training and preparedness exercises to enhance crisis intervention strategies.</li><li> Ensures effective follow-up services for child and adult victims to track progress and support long-term recovery.</li><li> Conducts assessments to identify victims' and witnesses' psychosocial and mental health needs.</li><li> Collaborates with support agencies and professionals to ensure comprehensive care for victims and witnesses by working with multi-disciplinary Teams.</li><li> Connects individuals with referrals to appropriate community resources and support network.</li><li> Advocates for the well-being and rights of victims and witnesses within legal and social frameworks.</li><li> Provides mental health awareness, prevention programs and psychoeducational workshops for schools, businesses, community groups and stakeholders.</li><li>Facilitates organization and community initiatives aimed at crime prevention and victim support.</li><li> Sensitizes victims on basic elements of the investigative and criminal justice system processes.</li><li> Provides emotional support towards victims/ witnesses participating effectively in statements, identification parades and various activities of the investigations.</li><li> Performs liaison services between the police officer and the victim or witness.</li><li> Provides emotional support to prepare victims/witnesses to give evidence in Court.</li><li> Accompanies victims/witnesses to court proceedings.</li><li> Accompanies victims/witnesses to investigative procedures at hospital/clinic/health centre.</li><li>Provides support at funerals and accompaniment for matters such as Homicides.</li><li> Provides accompaniment and emotional support during Forensic activities.</li><li> Emotionally support victims with the preparation of Victim Impact Statements upon request from the judicial agencies e.g. the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions or the Magistracy.</li><li> Provides crisis intervention, psychosocial support and counselling to individuals, families and groups. </li><li> Provides safety planning and guidance for victims and witnesses.</li><li> Conducts mental health assessments to determine children's readiness to participate in Court and prepare related reports e.g. AJIPPA.</li><li> Develops and implement individual intervention plans for children referred presenting adverse behavioral issues.</li><li> Engages parents or guardians for the child and promotes involvement of relatives within the intervention plan, towards the benefit of the child referred.</li><li> Facilitates Support Groups for crime victims or witnesses.</li><li> Prepares case reports.</li><li> Conducts case management duties for all cases being serviced.</li><li> Prepares crisis intervention reports and recommendations.</li><li> Engages in training and mentoring of practicum students and interns from tertiary institutions.</li><li> Conducts data analysis of victim services provided.</li><li> Performs any related tasks as required.<div><br></div></li></ul>