Victims of Violence
Victims of Violence – linking licensed mental health professionals with families and individuals throughout Maryland who are referred from State's Attorney's Offices for each county, sheriffs and police in municipal, county and state offices.
For the past ten years, the Maryland Department of Human Resources, the Governor’s Office of Crime Control and Prevention and many family foundations have funded the Pro Bono Counseling Project to reach out to victims and witnesses of every imaginable form of violence including assaults, child internet pornography, DWI automobile accidents, September 11, 2001 and homicides. Each case is tragic as the victims describe their experience at intake, but a very high percentage of these cases have positive resolutions.
Clinicians participating in the Pro Bono Counseling Project ‘s Victims of Violence Program have specialized training in trauma care and assist victims to work with law enforcement and the criminal justice system, giving victims and witnesses the skills to rebuild their lives.
Funded by a VOCA grant of the Department of Human Resources, the Jacob and Hilda Blaustein Foundation and the Lila Childress Amsel Foundation.
Ms. R is a 41 year old self-employed beautician. When she requested therapy, she stated that she needed help to leave her abusive husband for the second time; and she needed motivation to get to work and care for her children. She was having difficulty sleeping and experiencing panic attacks at work. Ms. R was linked with a clinical social worker and within three months, she reported that she had left her husband and her relationship with her children had improved. “It’s a miracle. I couldn’t do this on my own and where would I be? I am very thankful”.