Victim Service Professionals

This tip sheet clearly defines the crucial role of Victim Service Professionals in the readiness phase of a mass violence incident.

When Victim Service Professionals (VSPs) are contacted to work in the aftermath of a mass violence incident, it is helpful for them to be prepared with a “Go Kit” of personal resources.

There are many state and local level victim/survivor assistance agencies and organizations that provide leadership in responding to mass violence incidents. It is important to prepare in advance in order to be ready to establish an initial response center, a family assistance center, and provide services and support to MVI victims, survivors and witnesses in the immediate- and short-term following a MVI.

There are many acronyms that victim assistance, allied professionals, or anyone working with victims, survivors, or communities should be familiar with in all readiness, response, and resilience activities relevant to mass violence incidents.

“At-a-Glance” - The Role of Victim Service Professionals

In the aftermath of a mass violence incident, communities are often inundated with offers of help and support. This will include individuals who define themselves as trauma “experts” in delivering therapy or counseling to MVI victims. This Tip Sheet offers specific questions victims/ survivors can ask to help determine whether a mental health provider has the requisite knowledge and skills to deliver trauma-focused mental health interventions.

This tip sheet clearly defines the crucial role of VSPs in the response phase of a mass violence incident.

This list features the key federal, national and state agencies that assist in activities related to readiness, response and resilience in mass violence incidents.

Hashtags are typically created to provide support to survivors and communities affected by MVIs, grouping all social media posts using the tag in one location. But sometimes hashtags can also be used to spread unreliable and unverified rumors.

Social media plays a vital role in the dissemination of information following a mass violence incident. This Tip Sheet includes the main agencies, organizations and how they provide and receive critical information via their websites and social media.

Three focus groups were held in May 2018 with select state Victim Assistance Administrators (VOCA) and Victim Compensation Directors (COMP) whose states have experienced mass violence incidents to help clarify their roles in assisting states with readiness, response and resilience.

Several terms are used interchangeably, and often inaccurately, to describe a mental health treatment as being effective. This Tip Sheet sorts it out.

In many communities, After Action Reports (AARs) are generated following mass violence incidents and include a wealth of information about pre-event preparations, acute response and post-event support services. However, in our review of AARs for MVIs in the past 15 years, we found that summaries of mental/behavioral health and other highly-valuable victim services is rarely included.

After Action Reports (AARs) produced after mass violence incidents often include a wealth of information; however, few guidelines exist for generating AARs, especially in regards to summarizing the provision of victim/survivor services and mental health services. In addition to providing in-depth guidance about how to plan and develop an AAR, this Review also provides a strong foundation to help plan a coordinated response to MVIs across multiple agencies and jurisdictions.

NMVC support services aim to: 1) empower local providers to offer evidence-based interventions to victims of mass violence, and 2) offer services directly to victims of mass violence, when local providers are not available.

This tip sheet clearly defines the crucial role of VSPs in the resilience phase of a mass violence incident.

The Victim/Survivor Assistance Navigator (VAN) fulfills a critical position within Resiliency Centers. Created in the aftermath of mass violence incidents (MVIs), the Victim/Survivor Assistance Navigator identifies and provides guidance and referrals for quality, collaborative services and supports victims and affected community members.

The Guide is designed to help prosecutors, victim services and mental/ behavioral health providers, and allied professionals plan for high-profile trials with a focus on victims’ and survivors’ needs, and effective and coordinated strategies to meet them.

A downloadable reading list for providers who offer counseling or grief-related services to the bereaved. 

A reading list for first responders, victim service providers, and professionals who serve first responders.