Contact Info

LOCATION

The Lake County Victim Assistance Program is located at 47 North Park Place, Courthouse Annex East, Painesville, Ohio 44077. The building is located between the Lake County Courthouse and the Painesville Methodist Church (on the Square).

CONTACT US

You may contact our office simply by calling 440–350–2691; 440–918–2691; 440–298–3334; 440–899–5253 during normal business hours (8:00 AM – 4:30 PM).

If you have an emergency, feel free to call the 24-Hour Hotline – 440–953–5823.

Victim Assistance

The Lake County Victim Assistance Program (LCVAP) was established to:

• provide immediate, caring and quality advocacy services to victims of crime in Lake County
   
• ensure that crime victims are treated with fairness, dignity and respect in the criminal justice process.

LCVAP Staff:

ADVOCATES: All LCVAP advocates are certified through the Ohio Advocacy Network and/or the National Certified Advocate Network. A bi-lingual advocate is available for Hispanic victims and their families. LCVAP Advocates: are available to police departments throughout Lake County and can respond to crime scenes or hospital emergency rooms when victims may need critical support; contact crime victims and offer assistance throughout the legal process; and keep victims informed of Court proceedings and accompany victims to Court hearings.

VOLUNTEERS: All hotline volunteers and volunteer advocates have completed an extensive training. There is always a need for volunteers. Please call 440–953–5823 to schedule your free training today.

Click this link to download our Inspiration Video #movemountains

WE ARE HERE TO ASSIST YOU IN A CARING AND INTELLIGENT MANNER

Your Rights as a Crime Victim

1. The Lake County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office will help you know your rights as a victim of crime if you request our assistance.
    
2. You have the right to be present at all Court Hearings, and to receive notice of those hearings.
    
3. You have the right to information about the criminal investigation and to meaningful discussions with the Prosecuting Attorney or the Assistant Prosecutor handling the case.
    
4. You have the right to submit a written Victim Impact Statement to the Court and to make a statement at Sentencing to the judge about the impact of the crime on you.
    
5. You have the right to current information about the defendant’s incarceration and the right to go to Parole Board Hearings and speak directly to Parole Board Members.
    
6. You have the right to reasonable return of any property that may be held as evidence.

Victim Support

LCVAP SERVICES:

24-HOUR HOTLINE
Staff and trained volunteers provide emotional support, crisis intervention, and referral and information services to victims of crime, their family members and others impacted by a violent crime.

24-HOUR ADVOCACY
Advocates provide emotional support, information and assistance to crime victims, and their families, at Lake Hospital Emergency rooms, crime scenes and Lake County Police Departments upon request.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM ADVOCACY
Advocates provide emotional support and assistance to crime victims whose cases are being prosecuted in Lake County. Support services include accompaniment to meetings with Lake County Assistant Prosecutors, court hearings, trial, sentencing and parole
hearings. Advocates also provide assistance with Victim Impact Statements, VINE, and Victim of Crime Compensation Application.

COMMUNITY EDUCATION AND OUTREACH
Staff is available to present information concerning Sexual Assault, Child Sexual Abuse, Internet Safety, Identity Theft, and other crime prevention topics. Training is also available for law enforcement, medical, social service and other professional staffs. A bi-lingual advocate provides a variety of Outreach services to the Hispanic community.

ELIGIBILITY

Our services are available free of charge to all victims of crime in Lake County. Assistance is provided to crime victims in Municipal Court, Common Pleas Court, Juvenile Court, and the Court of Appeals, as well as at the Parole Board and Grand Jury.

Volunteer Opportunities

Victims of crime experience a wide range of emotions and are often confused about what to do or how to get help. The Victim Assistance Program provides 24 hour services to victims of crime. These services would not be possible without the help of our volunteers.

24 HOUR HOTLINE
Volunteers on the 24 hour hotline provide crisis intervention, referrals to community resources and emotional support to victims and their families as they try to cope with the aftermath of sexual assault, domestic violence, robbery or other violent crimes.

Volunteers attend a comprehensive training program to learn these skills. Hotline shifts are flexible and designed to meet the needs of a busy schedule. Hotline volunteers have the option of having the hotline call-forwarded to their home or cell phone.

VICTIM ADVOCATE
Volunteer advocates provide personal advocacy to victims of sexual assault, domestic violence and other violent crime. Advocates respond to area emergency rooms, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office and Lake County Police Departments.

Volunteers may choose to take additional training to become a victim advocate. Successful completion of the 24 hour hotline training is required.

BECOME A VOLUNTEER

For more information or to apply, call the volunteer services specialist at: 440–350–2285. An application packet will be mailed to you. Applicants will be scheduled for an interview prior to being placed in a training class.

Upon completion of the training volunteers receive a certificate and are eligible to sign up for hotline shifts.

Click here to download an application.