Victims' Assistance Program

The Rhode Island State Police has implemented a Victims' Assistance Program to further enhance the Division's efforts and response when dealing with victims/witnesses of crimes or traumatic incidents. The main focus of this program is to provide a trained Victims' Assistance Provider who will assist victims/witnesses during the period immediately following the incident. The Victims' Assistance Provider will focus solely on the victims'/witnesses' needs to help the process in determining the necessary and most-appropriate follow-up/ referrals for further assistance.

The Victims' Assistance Provider will be available during both regular business hours and on an on-call basis. The provider can assist both adult and child victims/witnesses of crime. The following services can be provided:

  • Crisis Counseling
  • Follow-up Contact/Updates on Investigation
  • Therapy
  • Group Treatment
  • Finding a Shelter or Safe House
  • Information and Referral
  • Criminal Justice Support/Advocacy
  • Emergency Financial Assistance to Meet Basic Security and Safety Needs
  • Emergency Legal Advocacy
  • Assistance with registering for the Victims Assistance Portal
  • Victim Compensation Funds
  • Personal Advocacy

The Victims' Assistance Provider assigned to the Division is Paola Velez from Family Service of Rhode Island. Contact information for Ms. Velez is as follows:

Phone: (401) 764-5719

Email address: Paola.Velez@risp.gov

Rhode Island State Police Headquarters

311 Danielson Pike

North Scituate, RI 02857

If you are a victim of crime or a witness to a crime please contact Ms. Velez, our Victims' Services Provider, so that we can help you get access to the services you need.