Victim Witness Services
We envision a just, equitable world in which all people are safe and free to be their fully realized selves in communities rooted in love, dignity and joy. The mission of VWS is to be a source of healing, empathy and support to people and communities that have experienced trauma.
Victim Witness Services offers compassionate support to victims, witnesses and survivors of crime and trauma through effective response and community outreach. If you or someone you know needs help, there are resources available to you. You are not alone, and you are not without hope.
We are here to help
Victim Witness Services envisions a community where victims, witnesses and survivors of crime and crisis are not alone, but are supported by the criminal justice system, social service agencies and community members through collaboration and coordination across northern Arizona. We envision services that are trauma informed, restorative, and holistic in order to empower individuals affected by crime and crisis.
Get Involved.
It is our experience that when someone gives with their hearts, their giving is exceptionally meaningful in ways that pure income cannot compare. We have found that there are many people interested in being a part of the important work that we do, so we have identified a number of ways you can help us achieve our mission and strengthen the community!
Our Story
Victim Witness Services for Northern Arizona was incorporated in Arizona on November 21, 1984 as the Impact Crisis Team. A group of influential, concerned citizens came together to establish an organization designed to “meet the needs of victims of crimes and domestic violence including, but not limited to, crisis intervention, victim and witness advocacy and referral to social service agencies…” under the influential and powerful leadership of Joni Adams. The Impact Crisis Team started out as a crisis response program responding to Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, Child Abuse, Deaths, Car Accidents and any other traumatic events. In December of 1984, the Impact Crisis Team secured funds to enable Criminal Justice Court Advocacy. The name was changed from the Impact Crisis Team to Victim Witness Services for Coconino County in 1988. In 2022, the name was again changed to Victim Witness Services for Northern Arizona. Later, Victim Witness Services housed and supported NACASA (Northern Arizona Center Against Sexual Assault) before the service was placed inside of North Country HealthCare. US Representative Ann Kirkpatrick was one of the founding Impact Board of Director members where she served as the fund-raising chair woman.
Since 1984, Victim Witness Services is dedicated to delivering comprehensive, direct services to victims of crimes and/or crises that occur in northern Arizona.