The Area Agency on Aging strives to secure, promote, and provide essential services to enhance the quality of life in a diverse and changing society. The Agency plans, develops and coordinates services for seniors in Maricopa County who are 60 years of age or older, and for adults (18-59 years) with disabilities and who have long-term care needs. Weekly support groups for older women who are victims of domestic violence are available by calling the agency’s senior HELP LINE (264-HELP). Emergency housing and crisis intervention services are available. Other services by the Area Agency on Aging which may assist older victims of domestic violence include home and community based services, Benefits Assistance Program, AGE WORKS and Elder-Vention (a depression and suicide prevention program).
The ASU College of Law has partnered with the Arizona Voice for Crime Victims to establish the Victims’ Assistance Law Project (VALP). VALP is designed to provide direct services to victims in order for them to assert their rights in criminal cases.
Volunteer community lawyers and law students will be supporting this project. These volunteers, serving crime victims as legal counselors and advocates, will receive specialized training. A comprehensive legal response manual has been developed for them to utilize while serving crime victims. This manual includes: chapter overviews on the adult criminal justice system and crime victim laws, forms and supporting memoranda, cases and annotations, statutes, and constitutional provisions.
The project designers determined volunteer lawyers would provide the best means for helping victims to assert their rights in a court of law. Additionally, law firms have already agreed to support this effort as part of their pro-bono services.
Victims may be referred to the law school by prosecutors, the State Bar of Arizona, or by self-referral and will be seen in one of the law clinic’s settings.
Avondale’s Victim Assistance Unit is dedicated to assisting victims of misdemeanor crimes by providing emotional support, referral, advocacy services and educational outreach to citizens within the community while ensuring that citizens affected by crime are treated with dignity and respect in order to avoid secondary victimization.
The program was established in 2001 to provide victim services to local Goodyear and Avondale residents affected by crime. Services provided include: emotional support, crisis counseling, needs assessments/safety plans, notification of case status/disposition, court escort, Order of Protection assistance, transportation/childcare, referrals, and judicial/personal advocacy.
Casa was formed in 1973. The agency serves children and adults in Maricopa County. Casa's mission is to provide all male and female victims of violence (verbal, emotional, sexual, and physical) with professional prevention, education, and counseling services. Casa's counseling services include individual, family and group treatment.
Centro de Amistad's "I'tom Plan de Pas" is a coalition started on a volunteer basis in 1997. It meets quarterly to increase involvement, awareness, and advocacy for the victims and issues of domestic violence/sexual assault in the Indolatino community of Guadalupe and the East Valley. The program currently oversees weekly bilingual domestic violence support groups, a small volunteer safe home network, arrangements for transportation and food boxes, information and referrals, and sweat lodge ceremonies. The program sponsors a unique community education tool, the "House of Horrors" - a domestic violence exhibit permanently located in Guadalupe.
De Colores is a 24-bed shelter for women and their children who are forced to flee from their homes due to domestic violence and other violent crimes. De Colores has a fully bi-lingual, bi-cultural staff that works directly with monolingual Spanish speaking people.
Educational field trips
Child Crisis Center - East Valley, Inc.
Contact number: (480) 969-2308
The Child Crisis Center is a community based, grassroots, non-profit agency incorporated in 1981. The agency grew rapidly because of the need for services for abused children and the original seven shelter beds has expanded to 42 beds. The Center’s programs focus on the children in care and the needs of the parents through counseling, parenting, and support groups. There are no fees attached to any services provided by the Center.
Children's Advocacy Center
Contact number: (602) 369-8845
(Referrals are limited to W.T. Machan School at (602) 381-6120 x 2259)
The Family Habitat Garden Project, established by the Children's Advocacy Center in 1998, is an innovative school-based program that provides early identification, assessment, and treatment for children who are victims and witnesses of family or community violence. The project, currently located at W. T. Machan School in the Creighton School District, targets a critically underserved population of child crime victims who would not otherwise access services due to social, economic and cultural barriers. Children receive individual, trauma-specific therapy and also participate in groups that are designed to develop resiliency, adaptive coping and social competency. Garden-based therapeutic activities develop resiliency and build positive relationships. The long-term goal of the project is to expand school-based services throughout Maricopa County.
Chrysalis Shelter for Victims of Domestic Violence, Inc.
Contact numbers: Phoenix shelter: (602) 944-4999
Scottsdale shelter: (480) 481-0402
Outpatient counseling: (602) 955-9059
Chrysalis Shelter has emergency crisis shelters in Phoenix and Scottsdale which provide safety for over 1,100 women and children each year; a transitional housing program where women and children can stay for up to 2 years; and out-patient counseling. Educational programs for valley schools are also offered.
Crisis Nursery
Contact number: (602) 273-7364 – 24/hour
Founded in 1977, Crisis Nursery’s mission is the prevention and treatment of child abuse and neglect. In the last 25 years nearly 12,000 child victims have found safety, nurturance, and supportive services through the programs of Crisis Nursery. Located in central Phoenix, Crisis Nursery Shelter Program has no geographic restrictions and services are provided both to children in the custody of CPS as well as to parents temporarily unable to care for their children. Services include a 24-hour hotline, information and referral, food, clothing and shelter for children, health care, case management, child development, educational and speech programs, crisis intervention and counseling, follow-up services, and advocacy.
EMPACT-SPC
Contact numbers: (602) 254-9000 – 24/hour hotline
(866) 205-5229 – toll-free hotline
(480) 736-4949 - 24-hour sexual assault hotline
(480) 784-1500 - 24-hour crisis hotline
(866) 205-5229 – 24-hour toll-free hotline
EMPACT-SPC’s mission is “To build strong families and communities by helping Arizona youth and adults cope effectively with the challenges of life. This is achieved through compassionate and innovative prevention, counseling, crisis, and training services”. EMPACT-SPC has been a leading, non-profit, behavioral health organization for over 13 years providing services throughout Maricopa County in-home or at one of their three office locations (Tempe, Phoenix, and Glendale).
EMPACT crisis departments offer professional 24-hour telephone and in-person services to victims of sexual assault/abuse or family violence, and to individuals and families needing crisis or suicide intervention or critical incident debriefing.
Working together as a crisis mobile intervention team, a specially trained certified Master-level therapist and a Bachelor-level specialist provide on-site, in-home, and in-office interventions, coordinating services with police and fire departments, hospitals, advocacy centers, and other mental health agencies and emergency/crisis services.
Glendale Victim Assistance
Contact number: (623) 930-2435
Glendale Victim Assistance is a police department-based program that provides comprehensive services to crime victims who are Glendale residents or victims of crimes investigated by the Glendale Police Department. Services include 24-hour on-scene crisis services, information services to help victims successfully interact with the criminal justice system and recover from the impact of the crime, assistance with Orders of Protection and related domestic violence issues, investigative and court support to victims, short-term counseling, limited financial assistance (including the cleanup of homicide and suicide scenes), and referrals to other community resources. The program is also responsible for the Department’s compliance with Arizona’s victims’ rights mandates. Glendale Victim Assistance began in 1975 and over the years has been recognized nationally for its excellence.
Goodyear Crisis Services Unit
Contact number: (623) 882-7677
Goodyear Crisis Services Unit is a Police Department-based program that oversees the Victim Advocacy Program and Critical Incident Stress Management Program. The Victim Advocacy Program provided comprehensive services to crime victims who are Goodyear residents or victims of crimes investigated by the Goodyear PD. Services include 24-hour on-scene crisis services, information services to help victims successfully interact with the criminal justice system and to recover from the impact of the crime, assistance with Orders of Protection/Harassment and related DV issues, investigative and court support to victims, short-term counseling, and referrals to other community resources.
HomeBase Youth Services
Contact numbers: Administrative Offices/Residence (602) 263-7773
Outreach Center (602) 254-7777
Hotline: (888)254-HBYS (254-4297)
HomeBase Youth Services provides a range of services to homeless and runaway youth. These services include: runaway prevention, family reunification and referral for counseling, van outreach services and crisis intervention for victims of abuse on the streets, drop-in center services providing basic needs to youth, intervention and referral, a transitional living program for victims 18 to 21 years of age, follow-up and aftercare. HomeBase Youth Services is committed to providing quality service to youth to end the cycle of homelessness and exploitation of youth living on the streets of Arizona.
Jewish Family and Children’s Services
Contact number: (480) 994-8477
In 1998, Jewish Family and Children’s Services created Shelter Without Walls, an innovative transitional support program for victims of domestic violence. The program is designed to address a need in the community for services to women, both with and without dependent children, who are seeking to break free from domestic violence and establish self-sufficiency. Shelter Without Walls serves the greater Phoenix metropolitan area and provides comprehensive case management, individual and group therapy, specific financial assistance, and aftercare follow-up.
Maricopa County Adult Probation Victim Services Unit
Contact number: (602) 372-8286 (866) 372-8286
Website: www.superiorcourt.maricopa.gov/adult_pro/adult_victims.asp
The mission of the Maricopa County Adult Probation VSU is to provide assistance to victims of crime, the community, and the court family, in a respectful, professional, and timely manner. We accomplish our mission through victim advocacy, restitution advocacy, training, referrals, information about probation and the court, outreach services, and collaborative efforts.
VSU brochures and a handbook on the criminal justice system are available for distribution upon request.
Maricopa County Attorney’s Office Victim Witness Division
Contact numbers: (602)506-8522
Compensation: (602) 506-4955
The Victim Witness Division provides criminal justice, victims’ rights and case status information for victims of crimes committed by adult and juvenile offenders prosecuted by the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, as well as victim notification for court dates, conviction and sentencing. In addition to these services, victims are provided victim assistance services, including, but not limited to: social service referrals and advocacy with service providers, short term counseling to assist victims in the emotional recovery from the crime, escort to criminal justice related events to provide emotional support, advocacy with the prosecutor, facilitating a victim’s wish to make a statement to the court regarding sentencing, release hearings, restitution, plea agreements and assistance in applying for crime victim compensation.
Mesa Police Department Victim Services Unit
Contact number: (480) 644-4095
The Mesa Police Department’s Victim Services Unit has been in existence since June of 1993. The unit is housed at the Center Against Family Violence located in Mesa, Arizona. It presently consists of six full-time employees and 41 volunteers. The unit offers a variety of services to victims. Immediate on-scene crisis intervention is provided 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Victim Services volunteers or staff respond on an on-call basis to provide the emotional and informational support needed by victims, provide follow-up calls and social service referrals. In addition, short-term counseling, along with a support group, is presently offered at the Center Against Family Violence for victims of domestic violence.
Mesa Prosecutor’s Office Victim Services Unit
Contact number: (480) 644-2188
The Mesa City Prosecutor’s Office VSU was established in 1991, and is committed to ensuring an appropriate, timely and supportive response to all victims of crime. The VSU provides ongoing support and services to victims of misdemeanor crimes, such as: court accompaniment, emergency funding, follow-up, information/referral, notification, orders of protection, post-conviction, victim compensation, victim impact statements, victim safe room and victims’ rights information.
Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Phoenix-Metro Chapter
Contact number: (602) 279-2043
Mothers Against Drunk Driving is dedicated to stopping drunk driving and supporting victims of drunk driving crashes. The Phoenix/Metro Chapter serves victims throughout Maricopa County. The chapter offers two adult and one adolescent coping support groups each month. Victim advocates are available to attend court and explain the judicial process. There are books and pamphlets available for victims which deal with grief, loss, and injury. For victim assistance during non-business hours, call 1-800-GET-MADD.
My Sisters’ Place
Contact number: (480) 821-1024 (24-hour hotline)
To request emergency shelter, call (800) 799-7739 or (602) 263-8900
My Sisters’ Place works with other organizations to promote violence free homes. In operation since 1985, the program offers safety and services for adult females, with or without dependent children, who are fleeing an abusive relationship. Eligibility is not restricted by geographic boundaries, however, a majority of those served are residents of Maricopa County. The program is designed to address immediate and long-term needs of victims. Services include but are not limited to: 24-hour crisis line, emergency shelter, victim advocacy, education and support, counseling for children affected by violence, and an aftercare or transitional program.
New Life Center
Contact number: (623) 932-4404
New Life Center was founded in 1991 to provide shelter and comprehensive services to families fleeing domestic violence in the underserved areas of far western Maricopa County. The mission of New Life is to “provide shelter, counseling, education, advocacy and other services for victims of domestic violence and their children, while promoting community awareness of the need for domestic violence service and prevention programs”. The programs are designed to assist residents in strengthening their resolve to live independent, violence-free lives. Services include: emergency shelter, crisis counseling, weekend and evening counseling, case management, individual and group counseling, job program, move-in assistance, children’s counseling, preschool, parenting classes, and referrals.
Parents of Murdered Children (POMC)
Contact number: (602) 254-8818
POMC provides support and information to all surviving family and friends of a homicide victim through monthly meetings in the East, West, and far East Valley. Speakers meetings are held where judges, counselors, prosecutors, detectives etc., provide information to enable better understanding of the system and how it works to help victims survive the trauma that a murder causes. The agency provides a monthly newsletter and a package of information to all survivors and/or requesting professionals, as well as programs to help victims with parole hearings, sentencing letters, unsolved cases, speakers for victim panels, and much more. POMC has a memorial each year to keep the memory of loved ones lost to violence alive, with a tree and memorial bench at the Arizona State Capitol that reads: “In memory of our loved ones, In honor of their lives, In hope that a new day will dawn when no life is lost to violence.
Peoria City Attorney’s Victim Assistance Unit
Contact number: (623) 773-7414
The Peoria City Attorney’s Victim Assistance Unit, based in the Prosecutor’s office, provides assistance to victims of misdemeanor crimes heard in the Peoria Municipal Court. Services provided include information on the criminal justice system, notifications of hearings and case status, resource referral and information, restitution and compensation assistance and advocacy. The unit is available to accompany victims to court. Staffed by a victim assistance coordinator, and a part-time victim advocate, the unit also utilizes trained volunteers who are interested in victim services and the criminal justice arena. Bilingual assistance is available.
Phoenix Fire Department Community Assistance Program (CAP)
Contact number: (602) 256-4369
The Phoenix Fire Department’s CAP was established in 1995. Since that time a partnership has developed with the Police Department to provide crisis services to victims of crime including homicide, sexual assault, child and adult abuse, domestic violence, assault, and traffic accidents. The CAP responds to over 4,300 requests for services annually. At the present time there are four crisis units housed in fire stations throughout Phoenix and are dispatched as Alternative Response (AR) units. In addition to crime victim calls the AR units respond to residential fires, mental health and substance abuse, adult and pediatric deaths (codes), drowning, suicide, and general crisis calls.
Phoenix Police Department Victim Services Unit
Contact number: (602) 261-8192
The Phoenix Police Department VSU was created in 1998 to bring all areas of victim services within the police department together. Their goal is to empower victims of crime by providing triage, victims’ rights education, investigative liaison services and supportive services needed for stabilization and recovery. Advocates provide outreach calls, home visits, information and referral, assistance with Orders of Protection, court escort, compensation assistance, emergency financial assistance, and transportation to interviews, court or other service providers.
Prehab of Arizona – Autumn House
Contact number: (480) 969-4024
Prehab of Arizona is a non-profit agency offering behavioral health services to adolescents, children, their families and individuals in times of trouble. Prehab’s Autumn House provides services to victims of domestic violence including battered women, their children and families. Programs at Autumn House include: 22 shelter beds available 24 hours per day, 365 days per year, crisis hotline, counseling for adults and children ages 3-18, resource referral, domestic violence education and client advocacy. Aftercare programs include counseling support groups for adults and children. These groups are open to the community. Community outreach programs include domestic violence education to churches, civic groups, public schools, colleges and universities.
Prehab of Arizona - Faith House Shelter
Contact number: (623) 939-6031
Faith House was established in 1974 and was one of the nation’s first domestic violence shelters. Faith House serves women and children primarily from northwest Maricopa County who need advocacy, therapeutic shelter, case management, and counseling due to living with family violence. Services include a 24-hour crisis hotline, emergency shelter, life skills training, childcare, counseling for residents, and aftercare support groups, information and referral, advocacy, and children’s counseling.
Prehab of Arizona – Outreach/Outpatient Counseling
Contact number: (623) 939-6031
The Victim Outreach Services program is an important part of the comprehensive delivery of support services available to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and elder abuse in northwest Maricopa County. The program provides outreach and case management, helping victims obtain needed medical, legal, financial, housing assistance, as well as providing individual and group counseling and follow-up to overcome the trauma of abuse and empower them to lead violence-free lives.
Prehab of Arizona “Safe Temporary Overflow Program” (DV STOP)
Contact number: (480) 969-4024
In 1999, DV STOP was created to provide single adults and families who are victims of domestic violence within Maricopa County, a safe support system as an alternative to remaining in a violent environment, when shelters are full. PREHAB of Arizona, whose mission is “helping families…changing lives”, became the lead agency while collaborating with agencies including Valley of the Sun United Way, the City of Phoenix, and the American Red Cross. United, they offer transportation, case management, crisis counseling, referrals, food, and other necessities until the victim has a safe alternative in place. Domestic violence victims may call the CONTACTS 24-hour hotline and be connected to services through DV STOP.
Scottsdale Healthcare
Contact number: (480) 675-4396
Scottsdale Healthcare established the Sexual Assault Nurse (SANE) Program in 1998 to provide sexual assault victims with prompt, compassionate care including a forensic examination to collect evidence used to prosecute offenders. A program supervisor and specially trained and certified nurse examiners provide 24-hours a day, seven days a week availability to sexual assault victims. In October 1999, Scottsdale Healthcare was awarded the contract to perform adult sexual assault exams for Maricopa County.
Scottsdale Victim Assistance Program
Contact number: (480) 312-4226
The City of Scottsdale has established a Victim Assistance Program for victims of misdemeanor crimes committed and charged in the City of Scottsdale. The goal of the program is to provide court-related education information and community referral and assistance channels that empower victims to regain stability and fully invoke their rights during the criminal court process. The Victim Assistance Program offers court accompaniment, case status updates and assistance with filing protection orders and compensation claims. Volunteer opportunities are also available.
Sojourner Center
Contact number: admin offices: (602) 244-0997
24-hour crisis line: (602) 244-0089
Sojourner Center has been providing a safe haven and a helping hand to women and children fleeing domestic violence in Maricopa County since 1977. Our mission is to end the cycle of domestic violence by providing shelter, a continuum of services, prevention programs, community education and victim advocacy. Sojourner Center offers services to assist women in establishing or re-establishing a violence-free home in the community.
Staff is on duty 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for resident support, crisis phone counseling and intakes. Additionally, Sojourner Center staff provides domestic violence education and support, case management, employment coordination, specialized childcare, domestic violence prevention and community education programs, and victim advocacy.
Tempe Social Services
Contact number: (480) 350-5400
The City of Tempe Fire, Police, and Community Services Departments created the Crisis Response Team as a pilot program in May, 1996 to address the needs of victims on scene at their immediate time of loss. In July, 2000 services were expanded to include the Family Support Program. Services include: emotional support throughout the investigation process, liaison between victim and police investigators, court accompaniment, assistance with Orders of Protection/Injunctions Against Harassment, crisis counseling, information and referral, transportation, emergency legal advocacy, criminal justice support/advocacy, personal advocacy, outreach, telephone contact, follow-up contact, and assistance in filing for victim compensation.
West Valley Child Crisis Center
Contact number: (623) 848-8863
West Valley Child Crisis Center provides temporary shelter and supervision for children who are victims of, or at risk of, abuse, neglect, or abandonment. The program offers a safe, nurturing, homelike environment staffed by quality care providers. West Valley Child Crisis Center interacts with the community to increase awareness and prevention of child abuse. This program is able to shelter 15 children ages birth through 8 at two west valley locations. West Valley Child Crisis Center is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
