Victim Assistance Unit

Victim advocates are here to help. Both Holland and Grand Haven offices have dedicated advocates available to support you. If you need assistance or have questions about your rights as a crime victim, please call during business hours or email victimrights@miottawa.org.

How We Can Help

We provide:

• Clear information about the charges filed, your rights, and court proceedings.
• Help connecting with counseling or social services.
• Support and accompaniment during court proceedings, if requested.
• A chance for you to share input on trial decisions and plea negotiations.
• Assistance in presenting sentencing recommendations, in writing or in person.
• Help determining and communicating restitution amounts to probation departments and the court.
• Support in securing court-ordered restitution from convicted defendants.
• Information about parole hearings and expected release dates for incarcerated offenders.

Cases starting in the Grand Haven or Hudsonville District Courts and Grand Haven or Hudsonville felonies transferred to the 20th Circuit Court

Emily Beauleaux, Victim Advocate
414 Washington Ave
Room 120
Grand Haven, MI 49417
Directions
Phone: (616) 846-8300
Fax: (616) 846-8178
victimrights@miottawa.org

Cases handled in the 20th Circuit Court – Juvenile Division

Josie Brown, Victim Rights Assistant
85 W 8th St
Suite 130
Holland, MI 49423
Directions
Phone: (616) 355-3534
Fax: (616) 355-4336
victimrights@miottawa.org

Domestic Assault Intervention Program

Role & Responsibilities

• Contacts victim of domestic violence cases within 48 hours of perpetrator’s arrest.
• Refers victim and family to various agencies based on their needs, such as financial assistance, legal advice, counseling, and temporary lodging.
• Coordinates available family counseling and resources with Resilience.
• Refers requests to lift no contact orders, when appropriate.
• Reports any violations of the conditions of bond or indications of misconduct to the courts.
• Consults with assistant prosecuting attorneys and victim assistance staff regarding domestic violence victim status on pending prosecutions.
• Assists and accompanies domestic violence victims during trial or court proceedings (upon request).

For further education, counseling and resource information contact the Resilience or the Grand Rapids YWCA.

Brochures & Forms

• Working with Victims of Child Abuse Brochure
• Crime Victim Compensation Brochure
• Crime Victim Compensation Application
• Collecting On Your Order Of Restitution
• Working With Victims Of Elderly Crimes & Abuse
• Community Services Referral Card
• Domestic Violence Brochure
• Domestic Violence, Stalking and Date Rape Informational Guide
• Protect Your Identity
• Understanding Criminal Sexual Conduct – A Handbook for Victims: Provided by Ottawa County
• The Appellate Process

Links

• Bereaved Parents of the USA
• Resilience
• The Compassionate Friends
• The Dougy Center, The National Center for Grieving Children & Families
• Hospice of Holland – Kids Grieve Too – Teenage Grief
• Michigan Department of Corrections – Offender Tracking Information System (O.T.I.S.)
• Michigan Sex Offender Registry
• National Center on Elder Abuse
• National Center for Victims of Crime
• National Committee for the Prevention of Elder Abuse
• National Consumers League’s Fraud Center
• National Council for Aging Care’s guide on Elder Abuse
• National Crime Prevention Council
• The National Institute for Trauma & Loss In Children, Parents Trauma Resource Center
• National Organization of Parents of Murdered Children
• National Organization for Victim Assistance
• National Resource Center on Domestic Violence
• National Sex Offender Lookup Service
• National Sexual Violence Resource Center
• Us Dept. of Justice/Office For Victims of Crime