Therapy
Center for Victims’ Therapy Department provides comprehensive, culturally competent mental health services to victims and witnesses of all crimes. With a focus on healing trauma and promoting resilience, the department offers individual, group, and family therapy sessions tailored to each client’s unique needs. All therapists at CV are highly trained and utilize various evidence-based therapeutic approaches including Art Therapy and Music Therapy. Other modalities, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Cognative Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) and more are employed to address the emotional, cognitive, and behavioral aspects of trauma experienced by clients.
Advocacy
Center for Victims’ Legal Advocacy Department provides comprehensive legal support and advocacy services to victims of crime, ensuring their rights are protected throughout the criminal justice process. This department offers a range of services including case management, representation in Protection Order proceedings, and consultation on issues related to restitution, sentencing, and parole. The Legal Advocacy Department works closely with clients to navigate complex legal systems, empowering them to make informed decisions and promoting healing and justice for all victims of crime. By providing holistic support that addresses the unique needs of each client, Center for Victims’ Legal Advocacy Department fosters a more equitable and just society where survivors can rebuild their lives with dignity and hope.
Emergency Shelter
Center for Victims’ Emergency Shelter provides a safe, confidential, and supportive environment for survivors of domestic violence and their children. The shelter offers 24/7 crisis intervention, counseling services, legal advocacy, case management, and transitional housing assistance to help individuals heal from the trauma they have experienced. By offering comprehensive support and resources, the Emergency Shelter empowers survivors to regain control over their lives and build a brighter future free from violence. The shelter’s services are designed to address the unique needs of each individual and family, ensuring that they receive the appropriate level of care and support throughout their journey towards healing and independence. In an effort to provide privacy and comfort in the aftermath of Domestic Violence, each guest room is equipped with private bath, mini kitchen and TV and adjoining rooms for larger families. to provide privacy and comfort in the aftermath of Domestic Violence. Additionally, the Emergency Shelter collaborates with community partners and agencies to provide ongoing assistance and resources for survivors as they transition back into the community. This holistic approach ensures that survivors have access to the necessary tools and resources to rebuild their lives and break free from the cycle of violence.
Canine Advocacy Program
Center for Victims’ Canine Advocacy program incorporates specially trained canines and their handlers to provide therapeutic services, support during the court process, and crisis response in situations involving victims of crime. The program aims to reduce physiological, emotional, and psychological impacts on individuals involved in criminal investigations or legal proceedings by utilizing the calming presence of highly-trained dogs. By partnering with organizations such as Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh and UPMC, the Canine Advocacy program seeks to improve forensic interview processes for child abuse victims while also providing the continuity of a “familiar face” at therapy appointments and court appearances
Victims Compensation
Our Victims Compensation program provides comprehensive assistance to crime victims, helping them navigate the complex process of filing claims with Pennsylvania’s Victims Compensation Assistance Program (VCAP). By providing local support in filing claims, assessing eligibility, and offering follow-up advocacy throughout the entire claims process, Center for Victims ensures that crime victims receive the financial assistance and emotional support they need during their recovery journey. As the largest referral agency of state compensation claims, CV has the resources, experience, and capacity to assist survivors in pursuing their rightful claims.
Community Outreach Prevention and Intervention
Center for Victims’ Community Outreach and Intervention program aims to provide comprehensive support, advocacy, and education services to victims of crime in the Greater Pittsburgh region. By addressing the diverse needs of communities through culturally and socially competent programs, CV ensures effective responses to gun violence, group violence, and other traumatic events. The program offers crisis response, targeted therapy and counseling, legal advocacy, long-term wellness and healing strategies, and ongoing intervention and prevention efforts. Through these services, Center for Victims helps create peaceful communities by supporting victims in their recovery journey while addressing the root causes of violence.
Community Outreach
Center for Victims’ (CV) Community Outreach and Intervention Program at the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (HACP) aims to provide comprehensive support, resources, and intervention services within Allegheny County Housing Authority (HACP) sites. The program focuses on addressing the unique needs of residents who have experienced or are at risk of experiencing violence by offering crisis counseling, case management, advocacy, and referral services.
By providing on-site support and tailored services for residents in HACP sites, CV’s HACP presence aims to empower individuals and families affected by violence, reduce crime rates within these communities, and contribute to a safer living environment for all residents.
Hotline
Center for Victims’ Hotline is a 24-hour crisis counseling and support service available to crime victims, witnesses, their families or friends, law enforcement, hospitals, social workers, and mental health professionals. The hotline serves as the gateway to all of CV’s services, helping callers identify their needs and connecting them with appropriate resources. Additionally, staff members are responsible for Allegheny County’s only contracted Offender Release Notification program, notifying victims of offenders’ releases or transfers from the Allegheny County Jail, ensuring a critical part of an overall safety plan and fulfilling a mandatory component of Victims Rights. Additionally, the Call Center connects these victims with our one-of-a-kind app, designed by CV, that provides this service.
Healing Rivers Project Resiliency Center
The Healing Rivers Project Resiliency Center is an innovative educational initiative created by Center for Victims. The activities are research based and employ best practices designed to provide a safe and trauma-informed learning environment. This space offers professional trainings, education programs, therapeutic support services, experiential workshops, and an interactive exhibit that work together to improve understanding of how direct and vicarious trauma from violence, abuse, chronic adversity, toxic stress, and social inequities impact children, adults, families, and communities. The project supports Center for Victims’ public health approach by utilizing our curriculum “Seeing Clearly Through a Trauma Lens” and promoting trauma-informed practices across the agency. In addition, The Healing Rivers Project Resiliency Center includes wellness offerings at the Healing and Resilience Program (HRP) include evidence-based practices designed to reduce the effects of trauma. These wellness activities can complement or stand-alone from one-on-one therapy and counseling, helping participants move beyond their traumatic experiences. The HRP currently introduces yoga, journaling, healthy cooking, meditation, essential oil use, tapping, Tai Chi, Xiong, breath work, and other techniques based on ongoing research into effective wellness practices for diverse populations with varying interests. By offering a wide range of evidence-based wellness options, the program aims to empower participants in their healing journey while addressing the impact of trauma on their lives.
Rights and Notifications
Center for Victims’ Rights and Notifications program is a comprehensive, inclusive service that ensures crime victims are informed of their rights under the Crime Victims Act and other relevant laws. This program provides timely information on automatically granted rights and those related to victim requests for services. The dedicated team of counselor advocates and specialists offer notifications through various channels and CV departments. By empowering victims with knowledge of their rights, this program aims to enhance their safety, well-being, and overall experience throughout the criminal justice process.
Prevention Education
Center for Victims’ Prevention Education program focuses on empowering youth in schools by providing comprehensive, culturally competent education and prevention services related to Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault. The program employes “Expect Respect” teen dating violence program developed by the University of Austin and brought to Pittsburgh by Center for Victims. Through interactive workshops, seminars, counseling and outreach initiatives, the program equips students with essential knowledge on personal safety, risk reduction strategies, and resources available for support. By fostering a culture of awareness and proactive engagement within schools, this initiative seeks to reduce the prevalence of crime and promote safer learning environments across the county.
