Annual Report 2005 - San Diego Health Reports and Documents

Restitution Enforcement /Victim Services DivisionIn 2005 victimadvocates assisted8,466 general victimswith 3,327 crisisinterventions and 5,268counseling sessions.Restitution enforcement attorneysand paralegals increasedthe number of cases handledto 2,381. The Restitution Claims Unitreceived 1,298 claims from victims ofviolent crimes, processed 1,492 claimsand 4,049 bills from service providers,and paid approximately $1.78 million tovictims from the State Restitution Fund.The Restitution Recovery Unit assisted424 victims, obtained 473 restitutionorders payable to the state totaling over$398 thousand, and recovered $5.3 millionfor the state to reimburse the StateRestitution Fund.The senior probation officer assignedto the division has been instrumental increating processes to facilitate obtainingcourt orders and assisting victims to recoverrestitution. In 2005, he worked on2,154 criminal cases that affected over $33million in restitution, which led to theimmediate disbursement of over $491,000to victims.The Victim Assistance Program has hadanother successful year. In 2005, victimadvocates assisted 8,466 general victimswith 3,327 crisis interventions and 5,268counseling sessions. They also assisted1,039 elder abuse victims with 452 crisisinterventions and 59 counseling sessions.Victim Assistance Program personnelalso provided the primary organizationalsupport for the District Attorney’s highlysuccessful Citizens of Courage Awardsluncheon in April 2005, recognizing es-pecially courageous victims and people whomade noteworthy acts to assist victims.During December, victim advocates andsupporting staff members conducted adrive that provided needs by gifts of cash,food, clothing and toys to 21 familiesconsisting of 70 children.The Restitution Enforcement & VictimServices Division successfully obtained a$400,000 elder abuse grant to create aninnovative new elder abuse team whichwill work out of the San Diego FamilyJustice Center.The District Attorney’s Office plays acentral role as a key partner of the nationallyrecognized Center, serving victimsof child abuse, domestic violence, sexualassault, and elder abuse.32