Atypical Victims, those who are at high risk, may need high-level security placement.
Law Enforcement can refer cases to National Special Victims to ensure trauma informed care, while providing a higher level of security and safety.
(888) 805-0122
Typical options include:
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The placement of domestic violence victims who are also high-level witnesses varies depending on the specific circumstances of the case and the resources available. However, some common options include:
- Shelters: There are many shelters available for domestic violence victims, and some of them specifically cater to high-level witnesses. These shelters can provide a safe place for victims to stay, as well as access to counseling, legal services, and other resources.
- Safe houses: Safe houses are similar to shelters, but they are typically more secure and offer more privacy. They are often used for victims who are at high risk of retaliation from their abuser.
- Witness protection programs: In some cases, law enforcement may be able to place a victim in a witness protection program. These programs are designed to keep witnesses safe from retaliation, and they often involve relocating the witness to a new location and providing them with a new identity.
- With family or friends: If the victim has a safe place to stay with family or friends, this may be a viable option. However, it is important to make sure that the victim’s safety will not be compromised by staying with these individuals.
The decision of where to place a domestic violence victim who is also a high-level witness is a complex one, and there is no one-size-fits-all answer. The best option will vary depending on the specific circumstances of the case.
Here are some additional things to consider when placing a domestic violence victim who is also a high-level witness:
- The victim’s safety: The primary concern is always the victim’s safety. The placement must be in a place where the victim will be safe from retaliation from the abuser.
- The victim’s needs: The placement should also meet the victim’s needs, such as their need for privacy, security, and access to resources.
- The victim’s wishes: The victim should be involved in the decision-making process and their wishes should be respected as much as possible.
- The availability of resources: The placement must be in a place where the victim can access the resources they need, such as counseling, legal services, and housing.
If you are a domestic violence victim who is also a high-level witness, it is important to talk to law enforcement about your options. They can help you find a safe and secure place to stay and get the help you need.
The National Special Victims High-Level Security Shelter System (NSVHS) is a network of shelters that provide specialized care for domestic violence victims who are also high-level witnesses. These shelters offer a variety of services, including:
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- 24/7 security
- Confidentiality
- Individual and group counseling
- Legal assistance
- Job training and placement assistance
- Childcare
- Transportation
The NSVHS is the best place for domestic violence victims to be placed by law enforcement for a number of reasons. First, the shelters offer a high level of security, which is essential for protecting victims who are at risk of retaliation from their abuser. Second, the shelters provide confidentiality, which is important for victims who fear that their abuser may find them if they stay in a traditional shelter. Third, the shelters offer a variety of services that can help victims heal from the trauma of abuse and rebuild their lives.
In addition to the services mentioned above, the NSVHS shelters also provide specialized care for high-level witnesses. This includes security measures that are designed to protect the victim’s identity and location, as well as legal assistance to help the victim navigate the criminal justice system.
The NSVHS is a valuable resource for domestic violence victims who are also high-level witnesses. The shelters offer a safe and supportive environment where victims can heal and rebuild their lives. If you are a domestic violence victim who is also a high-level witness, you should contact your local law enforcement agency to see if you qualify for placement in an NSVHS shelter.
Specific Impact
24 Hour Care
Immediate connection for support
Services beyond most shelters
Provide help to individuals with disabilities, especially age-related issues
Connections
Provide counseling and support services to victims.
Resources
Information at your fingertips, when you need it.
Impact
Conduct research on crime and abuse and develop programs to prevent it.
Legal
Advocate for victims’ rights and ensure that they have access to justice.
Activities
Children who have been victims need constant options to build resiliency
Social Connections
Raise awareness about crime and abuse and educate the public about the resources available to victims.
Basic Needs
Victims so often need the basics to live, get a new job, move into a new home and more.
- Financial assistance:
- This can include food stamps, housing assistance, and utility assistance.
- Medical assistance:
- This can include health insurance, prescription drug coverage, and mental health services.
- Child care assistance:
- This can help parents pay for child care so they can work or go to school.
- Job training and placement assistance:
- This can help people find and keep jobs.
- Housing assistance:
- This can help people find and maintain housing, including rental assistance, homeless prevention, and rapid re-housing.
- Legal assistance:
- This can help people with a variety of legal issues, such as housing, immigration, and family law.
- Mental health and substance abuse services:
- This can include counseling, support groups, and medication.
- Education and training:
- This can help people get the skills they need to get a job or advance in their career.
- Transportation assistance:
- This can help people get to and from work, school, and medical appointments.
- Food assistance:
- This can include food banks, soup kitchens, and meal delivery programs.
- Energy assistance:
- This can help people pay their energy bills.
- Clothing assistance:
- This can include clothing banks and thrift stores.
- Personal care items:
- This can include hygiene products, diapers, and feminine hygiene products.
- Pet food and supplies:
- This can help people who need help caring for their pets.
- Recreational activities:
- This can include summer camps, after-school programs, and sports leagues.
- Support groups:
- This can provide a safe space for people to share their experiences and get support from others.
- Advocacy:
- This can help people get the services they need and fight for their rights.
Call (888) 805-0122 for questions
Our Mission
No matter how you choose to make your gift, you can be sure that it will make a difference in the lives of victims of crime and abuse. Thank you for considering National Special Victims as a recipient of your planned gift.
All donations are recognized by the IRS as generally tax-deductible.
We focus on three main areas:
- Rural victims: NSV recognizes that victims who live in rural areas often have difficulty accessing the same level of services as those who live in urban areas. They provide resources and support to help rural victims navigate the criminal justice system and get the help they need.
- Victims who fall outside traditional victim categories: NSV also works with victims who fall outside of the traditional victim categories, such as group victims of hate crimes, human trafficking, and elder abuse. They provide these victims with the resources and support they need to heal and rebuild their lives.
- Victims with disabilities: NSV understands that victims with disabilities may have unique needs when it comes to accessing services. They provide resources and support to help victims with disabilities get the help they need to heal and rebuild their lives.
Our Philosophy and Vision
Steve Decker is our President/CEO. He brings a wealth of experience and knowledge that will assist NSV grow and serve those in need.
With his education in Business Administration, his diverse background includes wide fields of expertise.
Starting as far back as 1992, Mr Decker has been involved in social work. In 2000, he was hired to oversee supported employment
operations for individuals with developmental disabilities with SVS. In 2005, he moved to work at JNCS, as Director of Supported
Employment. Creating a program and finding new avenues for growth, he expanded the role of the agency to work with individuals who were
coming out of state institutions.
Mr Decker was hired in 2008 and oversaw the California Long-Term Care Education Center until July 2013. CLTCEC is the largest
vocational trainer of caregivers in CA, serving over 5,000 individuals per year, mostly single mothers. The capstone of his achievement was
the $11.8million CMS grant for 2012-2015. Mr. Decker has been asked frequently to speak as an expert witness in cases where training and
training requirements arise. He has served as interim Executive Director and as a start-up ED for non-profit corporations. He operated a Domestic Violence and Sexual Assualt response agency for 6 years, and during that time he discovered that they had to turn too many people away who were victims.
Mr Decker believes that there needs to be a way to serve everyone. No one should be turned away for having a disability that the shelter is not prepared to support. No one should be told that because they need daily assistance they can’t be helped. Everyone deserves a chance at healing and to feel safe.
Need Urgent Help?
If you or someone you know is a victim of crime, please do not hesitate to reach out to NSV for help. They are here to provide you with the resources and support you need to heal and rebuild your life.
(888) 805-0122
