Victim Services Program
“The Quest for Freedom, Dignity, And Rights of Man Will never End”
William J. Brennan
The Sixth Judicial District, DCS is committed to serving all victims of crime by offering the following victim and restorative justice programs. If you have any questions or interest in participating in any of the programs, please feel free to contact the Victim Services Coordinator, Linda Sorenson, at (319)730-1206. To view a comprehensive list of programs and resources, please follow the links provided.
The Sixth District consists of the following counties: Linn, Jones, Johnson, Tama, Iowa and Benton.
Why Victim Services In Corrections?
Often victims find themselves feeling victimized all over again during their involvement with the criminal justice system. The Victim Advocate strives to ease those feelings of victimization by providing education on how the system works, offering short and long term support, providing safe environment for defining the harm done, offer resources and referrals to more victim centered agencies, and offer opportunities for victims and survivors to learn more about community corrections and to become more involved in the probation and parole case during their offender’s supervision by the department.
Victim Impact Classes:
Mothers against drunk driving (MADD) was instrumental in creating a curriculum for offenders. The class covers a variety of interactive exercises to help offenders understand the impact of crime on victims and the community. This class is taught in both community corrections as well as the penal institutions.
Victim Impact Panels:
Some victims choose to share the experience of their crime to offenders or other agencies that might learn the harm of choices to commit a crime and know the long term damaging effect it has on a victim as well as see the ripple effect through he community. Most victims that have volunteered to sit on panels have found it healing and rewarding to make a difference in someone’s life as well as empower them to take control back into
their own lives. If you are interested in participating on a panel, contact the victim service coordinator.
Victim – Offender Dialog:
Upon request, victims are provided the opportunity to meet with their offender face-to-face to discuss how their lives have been impacted by crime. Victims have questions only the offender can answer which is often the question such as “Why me?” For the offender, it provided the opportunity for being accountable for the harm they caused and to understand the real impact their crime had on their victim as well as give possibly to apologize or make some amends.
Victim Advisory Boards:
The Victim Advisory Board (VAB) is the heart of victim services. The Board is made up of two committees. One in Linn County the other in Johnson County. They both came together to be the official Sixth Judicial District, DCS Victim Advisory Board by the District Director, Gary Hinzman. The (VAB) is made up of victims, survivors, community and other victim services people whose goal is to create a seamless system of support and services for all crime victims of crime. Contact the victim Service Office for more information on how you may be involved.
Victim Memorial Garden:
The garden is in its early stages of development with a front lot of the Correctional Services Complex being donated by the Departments Director, Gary Hinzman. This project has been named after a homicide victim, Leah Wara, who was violently murdered on the night of her senior prom in 1989 by an acquaintance. The official name of the garden is “The Leah Wara Memorial Garden, Fulfilling the Promise to all Victims of Crime.” Please see link for more information.
Victim Fundraisers:
The Victim Advisory Board has provided two fundraisers a year to support a small fund to help victims with unmet needs that other funds may not help with. It has provided replacement of broken windows or door from theft or intrusion of an offender. It has bought new door locks for domestic violence victims, as well as donations for cab fairs to shelter or court. We have a self help lending library, pay mileage and child care for victims who sit on victim impact panels for offenders, or other organizations such as criminal justice classes. If you are interested in helping raise funds or want to make a donation. Please see link provided.
