Victim's Assistance

The Victim’s Assistance Program (VAP) is designed to address the needs of individuals, families and
communities affected by:

• If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, help is available.
  

The Victim’s Assistance Center provides FREE AND CONFIDENTIAL individual and group counseling. 

Our services are completely free of charge and Our staff of Licensed Social Workers are bound by State of
Michigan, Board of Social Work requirements for confidentiality.

Victim’s Assistance Center staff respond to sexual assaults reported to Detroit Police Sex Crimes and Detroit
Receiving Hospital  

Domestic Violence:

• Domestic Violence, also called “intimate partner abuse,” refers to physical, sexual, psychological and
  economic abuse or control that takes place within an intimate relationship, including marriage. 
  

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IS A CRIME!

Individual and Group counseling and support is available.

• Learn how domestic violence affects children
• How to establish a safety plan
• How to identify Domestic Violence warning signs, and much more
  

HOMICIDE:

• The unlawful killing of one human by, another produces deep and bitter grief for the surviving loved
  ones or secondary victims. 

Understand this, the Victim’s Assistance Center provides:

• Grief and Loss, Individual and Group, Counseling
• Community Debriefing/Response
• Assistance with Victim Compensation Claims
• Advocacy and Information
• Support during the Criminal Justice Process
  

HISTORY

The Detroit Police Department established the Rape Counseling Center in November of 1975.  It was one
of the first rape centers operated by a police department in the country. 

As our services expanded, to include the victims of domestic violence and homicide, a program name change
was inevitable.  Currently named the Victim’s Assistance Program, our commitment to providing a wide range
of services to the victims, families and communities of Detroit remains unchanged. 

MISSION

The mission of the Victim’s Assistance Program is to enhance the well-being of victims, families and
communities that have been affected by sexual assault, domestic violence and homicide, in the City of
Detroit. By providing crisis intervention, follow-up counseling and prevention programs, the Victim’s Assistance
Program strives to alleviate barriers to the restoration of a healthy physical and emotional state.

The Victims Assistance Program provides 16 hours crisis intervention from 8:00 a.m. until 12:30 a.m.
7 days per week.

The Victim’s Assistance Program is supported by grant funds awarded through the Crime Victim Services
Commission of the Michigan Crime Victims Fund established by the Victim of Crime Act of 1984.

On-Line Resources:

RAPE ABUSE & INCEST NATIONAL NETWORK
www.rainn.org (RAINN)

NATIONAL SEXUAL ASSAULT HOTLINE
1-800-656-HOPE

NATIONAL CENTER ON DOMESTIC AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE
WWW.NCDSV.ORG

MEN CAN STOP RAPE
WWW.MENCANSTOPRAPE.ORG

MICIGAN COALITION AGAINST DOMESTIC AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE
WWW.MCADSV.ORG


IF YOU ARE LIVING IN AN ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP PLAN FOR YOUR SAFETY, AHEAD OF TIME

KNOW THE WARNING SIGNS:

• Escalating Arguments
• Substance Abuse
• Hitting wall/throwing objects/name calling
• Controlling
• Jekyll-Hyde personality
  

PLAN FOR YOUR ESCAPE BY HAVING:

• Emergency phone numbers
• Emergency place to go
• Instructed children ahead of time
• Personal documents prepared to go
  

PLAN FOR THE UNEXPECTED:

• If the phones are dismantled
• If the car keys can’t be located
• If you’re locked out of the house
  

DURING A VIOLENT INCIDENT, YOUR SAFETY AND THE SAFETY OF YOUR CHILDREN ARE MOST IMPORTANT.