ABOUT

The Division of Violence Intervention and Victim Assistance (VIVA), supports the Department of Law and Public Safety’s efforts in reducing violence across the State. VIVA strengthens trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve by incorporating a restorative and healing approach to public safety.

VIVA:

• Promotes a trauma-informed approach in the provision of victim assistance and violence intervention and prevention services, and in the formation of policies by the DLPS.
• Promotes access to, and deployment of, services to vulnerable and hard-to-reach victim populations and addresses the needs of more populations of victims than are currently served by DLPS.
• Develops an infrastructure for victim assistance and violence intervention and prevention services.
• Serves as a resource center and hub of technical assistance and training.
• Coordinates among, builds partnerships between, and supports initiatives involving law enforcement entities and victim assistance and violence intervention and prevention service providers.
• Provides a structure and outlet for community stakeholders to provider input to improve services.
• Supports policies and practices that recognize the importance of cultural humility of those providing victim assistance and violence intervention services.
• Promotes policies and practices that encourage engaging the use of peer support, such as credible messengers, individuals with lived experience, and trauma survivors, in the provision of services.
• Leads the Department’s coordination with other state agencies and offices – promoting that public safety is a systems-wide approach and a shared responsibility.

VIVA FACT SHEET

VIVA Fact Sheet – Download