Victims Of Crime Assistance (VOCA)

 
 
 

Our Victims of Crime Assistance Program provides confidential and trauma-informed services to help individuals and families understand their rights, build safety, heal, seek justice, and obtain compensation after a crime. Advocates provide safety planning, legal advocacy, court accompaniment, referrals, and other services necessary to help survivors meet their unique goals. 

All VOCA services are free thanks to our funding from the Ohio Attorney General's Office, the Office of Criminal Justice Services, the Office of Justice Policy and Programs, and the City of Columbus.

Services are available in English, Spanish, Somali, Nepali, and Hindi, and Arabic, with interpretation available in many more languages.

Eligibility

Anyone, regardless of immigration status, who has been the victim of any crime is eligible for services. This includes but is not limited to the following: assault, abuse, domestic violence, murder or homicide of a family member, sexual violence, robbery or theft, fraud or scams, stalking, or tenants’ rights violations.

Program Services

  • Advocacy for refugee and immigrant interests in local task forces, committees, coalitions, and collaborations with other victims services agencies

  • Assistance in filing victim’s compensation claims

  • Strengths-based case management

  • Safety Planning

  • Counseling referrals

  • Assistance during court appearances and victims’ impact statements

  • Referrals to legal services

  • Community outreach

  • Information and referrals to local, state, and national resources

  • Monthly support groups for those who have lost a loved one to violence (see images below for more information)

Funding Partners

Have questions? Want to schedule an appointment?

Contact us today.

To speak to an advocate or to make a referral, please call, text, or send Whatsapp message to 614-230-8346 (interpretation is available). Our case workers are available to answer calls Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. If your call is not answered, please leave a voicemail message and we will return your call within regular business hours. For your safety, we will not call you back if you do not leave a voicemail message. If you are experiencing an emergency please call 911.

  • Lara Downing

    VOCA PROGRAM MANAGER

    614-230-8346

    Email Laura

  • Alma Diaz-Cruz

    VOCA STAFF MEMBER

    614-852-6691

    Email Alma

  • Amal Mohamed

    VOCA STAFF MEMBER

    614-400-0548

    Email Amal

  • Anoj Sharma

    VOCA STAFF MEMBER

    614-314-0748

    Email Anoj

  • Lina El-Zein

    VOCA STAFF MEMBER

    614-403-8950

    Email Lina

CRIS's Victims of Crime Program does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, native language, disability, religion, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Participants will never be required to report a crime to law enforcement in order to receive services. In the case of family or domestic violence, participants do not need to be separated or broken up with the person/people who have harmed them in order to receive services. Services are available regardless of immigration status. 

If you feel that you have been discriminated against at CRIS, please contact Karina Harty-Morrison at karina@cris-ohio.org.

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