Atypical Victims, those who have the “system” fail them
To be a victim of systems means to be harmed by the way a system is designed or operated.
(888) 805-0122
Common examples include:
- Being denied access to resources or opportunities because of your race, gender, or other personal characteristic.
- Being financially or physically harmed while following legal orders.
- Being financially or physically harmed while complying with government mandates.
- Being financially or physically harmed while attempting to provide public benefit.
- Being subjected to discrimination or harassment because of your beliefs or lifestyle.
- Being injured or killed in a system failure, such as a traffic accident or a factory fire.
- Being trapped in poverty or homelessness because of systemic barriers to economic opportunity.
- Being incarcerated or otherwise punished for a crime that you did not commit.
The term “systems” can refer to a wide range of things, from large-scale social systems like the criminal justice system to smaller-scale systems like the way a company is organized. In any case, the concept of being a victim of systems is based on the idea that we are all interconnected and that our individual experiences are shaped by the larger systems in which we live.
When people are victims of systems, it can be difficult to know who or what to blame. The systems that harm us are often complex and invisible, and it can be hard to see how they are responsible for our pain. This can lead to feelings of helplessness and hopelessness.
However, it is important to remember that we are not powerless to change the systems that harm us. By understanding how these systems work and by working together, we can make a difference. We can demand accountability from those who operate these systems, and we can work to create more just and equitable systems for everyone.
If you believe that you have been a victim of systems, there are resources available to help you. You can contact a victim advocacy organization, or you can file a complaint with the appropriate government agency. There is also a growing movement of people working to challenge and change the systems that harm us. By getting involved in this movement, you can help to make a difference for yourself and for others.
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
