Northeast DuPage Family and Youth Services (NEDFYS) is a small community-based social service agency located within the Addison Police Department. We offer three main services to residents within Addison: Crisis Intervention (through the Police Department), Individual and Family Counseling and Referrals to other social service agencies.

Crisis Intervention: Agency staff is available on an on-call basis to meet at the Police Department with individuals who are going through a difficult time.

Counseling: NEDFYS offers CONFIDENTIAL, short-term counseling for individuals, couples and families. All counseling is done under the supervision of a licensed counselor.

Referrals: Many individuals who come to NEDFYS have additional needs besides counseling, such as food, clothing, financial assistance, legal assistance, etc. NEDFYS will provide referrals to other social service agencies.

Financial Assistance: NEDFYS provides limited financial assistance to eligible Addison residents. This one-time per year grant can be applied toward rent, mortgage, food or utilities. Please call (630) 693-7990 for additional information.

All services are free and confidential. Spanish-speaking services are also available. Please call (630) 693-7934 to schedule an appointment.

VICTIM/WITNESS REFERRAL SERVICES

The Addison Police Department is committed to the development, implementation and continuation of a victim/witness program and related activities. The Department believes that victims/witnesses should be treated with fairness, dignity and compassion and supports those tenets written in the "Bill of Rights for Victims and Witnesses of Violent Crime Act" (Illinois Compiled Statutes 725 ILCS 120/1 - 120/9). This law guarantees two basic rights to crime victims and witnesses:

1.  The right to obtain certain information from the criminal
     justice system and

2.  The right to be treated in a humane way by the system.

Furthermore, victims/witnesses are entitled to crisis assistance, information on case status and the criminal court process and expedient return of property.

DEFINITIONS

Victim: A person who suffers physical, financial or emotional harm as the direct result of a specified crime committed upon his or her person or property. Also regarded as victims are (1) a spouse, child, parent or legal guardian of a minor victim and (2) a spouse, child, sibling, parent or legal guardian of a homicide victim. (The definition excludes any person involved in a crime as a perpetrator or accomplice.)

Witness: A person who, as determined by the law enforcement agency, has information or evidence relevant to the investigation of a specified crime.

The resources of the Addison Township Youth and Family Services, Family Shelter Services of DuPage County and the DuPage Women Against Rape will be available on a referral basis. These resources include

1.  Referrals to social service agencies

2.  Victim advocacy

3.  Crisis counseling

4.  Emergency financial assistance

5.  Emergency food pantry

6.  Support groups

7.  Health screening

Information about victim/witness services will be available to the general public and the media through a variety of informational brochures on display in the Police Department lobby and on the Police Department's website.

To the extent possible, the Police Department shall provide appropriate resources to assist victims/witnesses who fear threats, intimidation and/or further victimization. Such assistance may include the following efforts:

1.  Having an officer or investigator provide reassurance to the victim/witness that the Police are concerned about their well-being and will take the necessary steps to ensure their safety, such as increased patrol watches.

2.  Informing the victim/witness about the possibility of filing criminal charges against the alleged offender for statute violation.

3.  Referring the victim/witness to the State's Attorney's Office, DuPage County Victim Services Unit.

4.  Referring the victim/witness to the appropriate law enforcement agency within the jurisdiction where the incident occurred.

Following the arrest of a suspect and during the post-arrest processing of the suspect, the Police Department will endeavor to provide victims/witnesses with the following:

1.  Notification of the arrest.

2.  The charges placed against the offender.

3.  When possible, the arrestee's custody status.

4.  Information about the Victim Information and Notification Everyday (VINE) program through the DuPage County Sheriff's Office. The VINE program allows victims to check on the custody status of offenders in jail and will automatically notify them of any change in status.

CRIME VICTIM'S BILL OF RIGHTS

Crime victims, as defined by law, shall have the following rights as provided by law:

 1.  The right to be treated with fairness and respect for their dignity and privacy throughout the criminal justice process.

 2.  The right to notification of court proceedings.

 3.  The right to communicate with the prosecution.

 4.  The right to make a statement to the court at sentencing.

 5.  The right to information about the conviction, sentence, imprisonment and release of the accused.

 6.  The right to timely disposition of the case following the arrest of the accused.

 7.  The right to be reasonably protected from the accused throughout the criminal justice process.

 8.  The right to be present at the trial and all other court proceedings on the same basis as the accused, unless the victim is to testify and the Court determines that the victim's testimony would be materially affected if the victim hears other testimony at the trial.

 9.  The right to have present at all court proceedings, subject to the rules of evidence, an advocate or other support person of the victim's choice.

10.  The right to restitution.

Source: Amendment adopted at General Election, November 3, 1992.

DuPAGE COUNTY COMMUNITY HELP REFERRALS
 

Illinois Attorney General
Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence
DuPage State's Attorney

ILLINOIS AVN SYSTEM

The Illinois Automated Victim Notification (AVN) system is a service through which victims of crime can use the telephone or internet to search for information regarding the custody and case status of their offender and to register to receive telephone and e-mail notification when the offender's custody or court status changes.

The toll-free number for the Illinois AVN system is 866-566-8439. This service is provided to assist victims of crime who have a right to know about their offender's custody and case status.

To register for notification online, visit the Illinois AVN website.