Ed. — This letter to the editor was written in response to a news item posted today, April 8, about the Humboldt County DA's efforts to retain a full-time Witness/Victim Advocate. Due to the length it is being posted on the Commentary page: 

In addition to food and shelter WDVS provides 24 hr victim/court advocacy, professional counseling, a twice monthly support group facilitated by licensed counselors, long-term transitional housing, crisis intervention, education and outreach amongst other things. 

We are also contracted with the State TANF program and with the Victims of Crime Compensation program (VOCP) allowing us almost instant notification of funds.  All our advocates are trained and meet all requirements of the State of Nevada.  Our Legal Support Advocate works with the Victim/Witness Advocate and the Volunteer Attorney’s of Rural Nevada (VARN) and is protected by 49.2546 (Confidentiality).  Our legal advocate’s primary purpose is to be a support system for the survivor through the legal process and work with the Victim/Witness Advocate (if a waiver of confidentiality is signed) on common cases. 

As a community based and grants funded organization, WDVS’s primary focus is on the safety and well-being of our clients and their choices.  We choose to work with law enforcement and the District Attorney’s office as opposed to against them.  We all provide different services and benefit from one another.  We also agree that the safety and well being of the survivor is important, as well as holding the perpetrator accountable. Our relationships with the legal system and the state of Nevada have proven to be very beneficial to the healthy and successful outcomes of our survivors.

WDVS is rapidly growing and expanding for more information, please visit our website at www.winnemuccadvs.com