“The people at Victim Outreach do more than see that victims rights are followed. They give a victim peace of mind and hope - because when you have someone on your side, it makes even the darkest nights seem brighter.”

- survivor of sexual assault

“I prayed that this was a dream and that I could survive just long enough to wake up. Every morning when reality hit, it felt like he died all over again. I don't know how I survived, must less my unborn baby."

"Perhaps, most importantly, I can recall the sounds of their voices every time I needed them. I remember never feeling alone in my grief. I remember feeling someone's hand on my shoulder when I though I couldn't possibly endure any more.”

- wife of a homicide victim

“On the day of that senseless crime, our lives changed forever. The truth is, I honestly would not have made it through such a trying and scary time without your help."

"I’d never dreamed of going through trials and having to testify against, or for, someone. You people were there and sat with me in that courtroom, when otherwise, I would have had to sit alone. My whole experience of courts, judges, two sets of lawyers and people who hurt me was made easier by your staff..."

- family of a homicide victim

“This situation is so incredibly messed up but I think it has pointed us (me and my child) in the direction of finding healthy people to be with - something I have been trying for since he was born. I am so excited about all of this and again, I thank you so much for everything you have done. You gave me hope in a really hopeless and helpless situation. I will never be able to thank you enough for that.”

- victim of domestic violence

“I want to thank all of you at Victim Outreach. I know that if it had not been for you I wouldn't have taken my case all the way to court. I know that for a fact because when I was 17 and I told the police my grandfather was molesting me, they treated me real bad. After that, I wouldn't tell the DA what happened. I just couldn't face telling my story again."

- adult survivor of sexual assault

"They helped me get set up with a therapist.  They went with me to my appointment with the DA.  And when I was afraid of testifying, they took me to the courthouse where I got to go to a courtroom.  I got to go in where someone was being tried.  And then we went to an empty courtroom and I got to see where the witness and the Judge sits.  When it came time to testify I wasn't so afraid."

"When he got off I wanted to die.  I thought he won, but she helped me to see that he didn't win because for nine months before the trial he was locked up.  So for nine months he lost control of his life, like I did.  She helped me to see that because I stood up for myself I got back some of the dignity that he took from me."

"I can see why women hesitate to report rapes.  If there were more people like the people at Victim Outreach, I feel more crimes would be reported."

- survivor of a suicide attempt

“My family and I wish to express our extreme gratitude for the professional, skillful and compassionate guidance and assistance your advocate has provided to me and my family following the murder of my eldest and first born son.  During this most difficult time of our lives, she was right there for us from the beginning, helping us to cope with our loss.  She should be commended for doing an excellent job."

“Over the year, she has listened with kindness and compassion to what I know has often been endless ramblings about my son as I struggled with my shock and grief.  She provided a keen understanding of what I was going through at the time and knowledgeable feedback on what I could expect later on as I went through the grieving process.  She also often served as a liaison to the police department for us."

“Frankly, I don’t know what we would have done without her expertise and caring over this long, long year.  Thankfully, as of this spring, four people were arraigned and charged with first-degree murder of my son.  Now we enter a new phase of the process."

- parent of a homicide victim

“Just who are these people anyway?  Those were my thoughts on the day my life changed forever.  You don't know you're going to need their help.  When it happens to you, you're lost and do not think straight.  At first you think NO WAY!  IT took some time for me to learn just how important the people at Victim Outreach were to me and my family."

"I'm glad they were there through every step.  They helped as much as they could.  They helped me through legal questions, connecting me with people who could when they couldn't.  They consoled us.  They care."

- the daughter and sister of two homicide victims

“When I was raped, they were there from the start of a very terrifying ordeal. Going through the test at the hospital was bad enough, but to tell what happened was even worse. Having one of the people from Victim Outreach there made a big difference."

“When you have to face talking to person after person, it helps to know there is someone beside you who cares. One of the ladies went with me to take a lie detector test. I was there for a couple of hours. I had to have a man hook up wires around my chest. He asked some very embarrassing questions. The only way I made it through was knowing I had someone waiting for me."

- adult survivor of sexual assault