The Social Services Department conducts interviews with victims, witnesses, and their families to assess their social, emotional, and financial needs.  Based on this assessment, the social services staff provides direct services as well as advocacy and referral information.

The services provided by this Department include:

• Crisis intervention and support
• Assistance with safety services
• Referrals to shelters
• Accompaniment to court
• Specialized assistance for child victims
• Advocacy for government entitlements
• Advocacy and referrals to community agencies
• Compensation assistance through the New York State Office of Victim Services.

The Social Services Department is located in both the District Attorney's downtown and Northern Manhattan Offices.  To learn more about these and other services, call the Social Services Department at 212-335-9040 Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The Victim Assistance Center is a secure, comfortable, supportive environment where victims, witnesses, and their families are introduced to the extensive services available to them through the District Attorney's Office.  Victims also receive information about their rights in the criminal justice system and are afforded an opportunity to provide information important to the prosecution of the case.

The Victim Assistance Center staff can:

• Explain the criminal justice system and orient victims to their role in the prosecutorial process.
• Serve as a liaison between victims and Assistant District Attorneys, the Police Department, the court system, and other criminal justice agencies.
• Provide victims with case information and answer questions regarding the court process.
• Provide information about an inmate's custody status and help victims to register for notification of an inmate's release from a correctional facility.
• Advocate for obtaining a court order of protection.
• Arrange transportation to court for victims and witnesses who are elderly, disabled, or injured; a wheelchair is also available.
• Prepare absence excusal letters for employers and schools.

The Victim Assistance Center is located at 100 Centre Street, Room 231. The Center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The staff can be reached at 212-335-9040.

The Counseling Department helps victims, witnesses, and their families deal with the emotional impact of victimization. Victims may experience symptoms such as anxiety, depression, flashbacks, and difficulty sleeping, eating, and concentrating.

The Counseling Department also assists victims in dealing with difficulties associated with their participation in the legal process.  The Counseling Department is staffed by New York State licensed social workers.

The services provided by this department include:

• Individual counseling
• Group counseling for victims of domestic violence and survivors of homicide victims
• Assistance with the preparation of victim impact statements
• Emergency assessment and intervention

The Counseling Department is located in both the District Attorney’s downtown and Northern Manhattan Offices. Counselors are available Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Evening hours are available upon request.

For more information or to make an appointment, call the Counseling Department at 212-335-9633.

The Notification Department offers a variety of court-related assistance to victims that eliminate unnecessary court appearances and provide victims with important case-related information.

The staff in the Notification Department:

• Provide victims with information regarding the status of the case
• Ensure that victims receive their criminal court order of protection in a timely manner
• Notify victims of sentencing information and victims’ rights information
• Explain corroborating affidavits and their importance to the prosecution of a Criminal Court case — most cases require that the victim sign a corroborating affidavit
• Assist victims in making requests for notification of an inmate’s release from city and state correctional facilities

For more information about the services provided by the Notification Department, call (212) 335-9374, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The Property Release Department coordinates the release of stolen property which has been held as evidence by the New York Police Department.

The staff in the Property Release Department:

• Explain all applicable property release procedures
• Facilitate and expedite the release process
• Provide special assistance for victims who are elderly, disabled, or live out of the New York City area

For assistance in obtaining a release of stolen property, call the Property Release Department
at 212-335-9863, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.