- February 4, 2025
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The Port Orange Police Department received funding to continue helping crime victims locally.
The Victims Advocate Program was established nationally in 1984 to help crime victims, including those affected by domestic, repeat, sexual, dating and stalking violence. The program is funded by fines collected from criminals through bail bonds, forfeited bail bonds and collected collateral.
Port Orange has participated in the program for approximately 18 years and helped more than 16,000 crime victims over five years, said Lorelei Henderson, victim advocate coordinator for the police department.
Locally, the program receives 75% of funds from the VOCA grant program and the rest from the city. This year, the police department received $98,579 and the city contributed $24,644, which was included in the 2019 fiscal year budget for the police department.
The victims advocate staff, which has three paid employees and twelve volunteers, maintains a 24-hour emergency call out schedule, which is generated by police reports.
The program provides emergency needs, such as food, clothing, shelter and transportation. They also help write and complete paperwork for legal protection and arrange for a grant-funded attorney to represent the victim.
Victims also receive emotional support during medical checkups, court meetings and other law enforcement matters, and they can receive compensation disability, wage loss, expenses or property loss.
