Victim Services

Mission Statement

The mission of the Victim Services Program is to provide impassioned leadership, offer emotional support, and build partnerships with service providers and a commitment to empower victims of crime with the goal of preventing further victimization.

The Seguin Police Department recognizes that crime victims need support. It is our belief that there are many benefits to focusing on the immediate needs of those affected by crime. Not only is the individual crime victim given the assistance they need; the criminal case against the offender is strengthened and the community is protected.

In 2009, our department hired a Crime Victim Liaison as part of a new Victim Services Division falling under the Criminal Investigation Division. The liaison works in conjunction with the detectives by providing support and follow-up to victims of family violence, sex crimes, child abuse, homicides, traffic fatalities and aggravated assaults. Victim Services bridges connections with local prosecutors and victim advocacy groups to streamline the process and create a more effective system. These partnerships provide a roadmap through the criminal justice system and onto recovery for each victim.

Victim Services provide information and referral, crisis counseling regarding normal reactions to trauma, and a contact person for the victim and family survivors. Addressing these needs help reduce the short-term and long-term effects of the trauma while helping to facilitate the victims' willingness and ability to cooperate with the Criminal Justice System in the investigation and prosecution of crimes.

This office also assists victims and family survivors with the process of filing for Texas Crime Victims' Compensation funds to aid qualifying victims and their surviving families with the expenses incurred as a result of violent crimes.

Texas Crime Victim's Compensation

Crime Victims' Compensation may be available to pay the amount of expense reasonably and necessarily incurred for:

  • Medical, counseling, prescription and rehabilitative services.
  • Partial loss of earnings because of a disability resulting from personal injury, participation in the criminal justice process, or to enable a victim or spouse of a deceased victim to continue employment.
  • Certain funeral and burial expenses.
  • Reasonable costs associated with crime scene cleanup.
  • Reasonable replacement costs for clothing or bedding taken as evidence or made unusable as a result of the criminal investigation of a sexual assault.
  • Travel expenses necessary to participate in the criminal justice process and/or seek medical treatment.
  • One-time payment of certain relocation expenses in domestic violence and sexual assault.

Reimbursement for property damage or loss is not an eligible expense.

See the Texas Attorney General Crime Victims' Compensation Brochure.

Qualifications

In order to qualify for Crime Victims' Compensation:

  • The crime must be reported to law enforcement within a reasonable amount of time unless there are justified extraordinary circumstances.
  • The claim must be filed within three years unless good cause can be shown as to why the claim wasn't filed.
  • The victim must cooperate with law enforcement and prosecution efforts.
  • The victim must be the innocent victim of a violent crime who suffers personal injury.

The Seguin Police Department Victim Services, Crime Victim Liaison, will assist you in applying for benefits from Crime Victims' Compensation. Upon request, we will provide you with the application will send the application form and required documentation to Crime Victims' Compensation. Please allow us to assist you in obtaining these benefits if you feel you may qualify. For more information on Crime Victims' Compensation (CVC) please visit the Texas Office of the Attorney General's CVC Division website and/or call 800-983-9933.

Victim Information and Notification Everyday (VINE) can be reached at 1-877-894-VINE (1-877-894-8463). See the Texas Attorney General VINE Information Brochure.

The Seguin Police Department Victim Services, Crime Victim Liaison, will also assist you in registering for notification of basic information on jailed suspects/offenders and their scheduled court events (County Jail). This can be done on the VINE website.

How to Contact Seguin Police Victim Services

Please call 830-401-2334 for assistance Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm or email Seguin Police Department's Crime Victim's Coordinator for assistance.