Cobb County District Attorney Joyette Holmes is teaming up with Kennesaw State University’s WellStar College of Health and Human Services to provide mental health services to victims of felony crimes.
The Criminal Justice Coordinating Council will provide a $50,000 Victims of Crime Act grant for alumni and students of KSU’s Master of Social Work program to offer individual and group therapy to victims of property or violent crimes.
The grant funding will allow KSU to offer the counseling services for free. Grant money will also be used to pay for start-up expenses, rental space for therapy sessions and stipends for counselors.
“Other community partners serve special populations of victims, such as domestic violence and sexual assault and those who have lost loved ones to homicide,” said Kimberly McCoy, director of the Victim Witness Assistance Unit in the DA’s Office. “But many victims of property crimes, for example, are traumatized by the perpetrator’s invasion of their privacy, yet are unable to obtain any help due to the limited availability of state resources for these crimes. These victims also deserve our assistance and trauma-informed response.”
Preference will be given to anyone who has little to no options for counseling, but any victim of crime can call to discuss whether he or she is eligible. Counselors will accept appointments two days per week. For appointments, call 770-528-3047.
Victims of domestic violence, intimate partner violence, sexual assault and elder abuse can get help from liveSAFE Resources, Inc., by calling 770-427-3390.
Child victims of sexual and physical abuse can call SafePath Children’s Advocacy Center at 770-801-3465. Family members of homicide victims are also offered help through the Crime Victims’ Advocacy Council at 770-333-9254.
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