What is the Crime Victims’ Assistance Program? As part of the District Attorney’s Office, this program is available to assist victims of crime. The Victims’ Assistance Program (VAP) recognizes crime victims have certain rights, including the right to be treated with dignity and respect. For information and assistance call 541-426-4543 x 1141. The following services are available to victims of crime at no cost:
- Making referrals to public and private social service agencies** that can provide necessary services;
- Providing information about case status throughout the criminal proceedings;
- Verifying and documenting financial losses so the Court can order the offender to pay restitution;
- Assisting in the return of property held by a police agency or the Court;
- Assisting with preparation for court hearings and trials;
- Court accompaniment;
- Resolving scheduling, child care, emergency, and transportation problems; &
- Assisting with the completion of application process for State of Oregon Crime Victims’ Compensation benefits.
If you have been the victim of a crime…DO NOT BLAME YOURSELF. Victims are people who suffer harm when someone else breaks the law. It is essential for a victim to recognize that he or she is not at fault.
TALK ABOUT YOUR FEELINGS. Find someone who is willing to listen. Victims usually do not need advice, but rather just someone with whom to talk.
DO NOT BE AFRAID TO SEEK OUTSIDE HELP. There are times when the healing process requires help from a professional. Counselors, therapists, psychologists, psychiatrists, and many others may be of valuable help.
BE REALISTIC ABOUT THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. Certain aspects of the system may be exasperating. Be prepared for multiple delays, changes in court dates, and other unexpected events that can, and often do, occur. The process is dynamic and unfamiliar to all but those who have studied the justice system for years. It seeks to protect everyone and will accept no compromise in its efforts to be fair and to apply the rule of law, as justice requires.
The Wallowa County District Attorney’s Office Victims' Assistance Program operates its program, services, and activities in compliance with federal nondiscrimination laws. No person shall, on the basis of race, color, national origin (including limited English proficiency), disability, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, or age, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any of our programs.
Please contact our office for more information:
Wallowa County District Attorney's Office
Victims’ Assistance Program
101 S. River Street, Rm. 201
Enterprise, OR 97828
Phone: 541-426-4543 x 1141
Email: victimast [at] wallowacounty.gov (victimast[at]wallowacounty[dot]gov)
**The Wallowa County District Attorney's Victims' Assistance Program is proud to partner with community-based advocacy programs, including but not limited to the following:
Helping Hearts
401 NE 1st Street,
Enterprise, OR 97828
Phone: (541) 263-2702
Email: helpingheartset [at] outlook.com (helpingheartset[at]outlook[dot]com)
Website: https://helpingheartschildadvocacycenter.org/
If you are a minor victim or guardian of a minor victim, you may be eligible to receive services from Helping Hearts Child Advocacy Center (CAC). In partnership with local law enforcement, social workers, and medical professionals, Helping Hearts Children's Advocacy Center is a front-line responder to reports of child sexual and physical abuse, children/youth witnessing violence, and other serious maltreatment of children/youth in Wallowa County. At Helping Hearts, children/youth can be examined by trained medical providers in as private an environment as possible and can tell their stories to trained interviewers in their own words.
