Brochures and Information
The Victim Witness Assistance Unit of the District Attorney’s Office is responsible for providing direct support and notification services to victims and witnesses of felony criminal acts that occur in Cobb County.
Our work allows victims of crime to have a voice in, participate in, and be notified of events related to the criminal case. Responsibilities of an intern/volunteer will include but are not limited to contacting victims and witnesses regarding court dates and case status, helping in determining restitution and completing victims compensation forms, attending court with victims and witnesses, contacting law enforcement officers to advise of court matters, and assisting with scheduling court appearances.
DA, KSU partner to create counseling initiative for victims
Dec. 6, 2019 – Cobb District Attorney Joyette M. Holmes and Kennesaw State University’s WellStar College of Health and Human Services announce the creation of a counseling clinic to serve victims of felony crimes.
A Victims of Crime Act Grant of nearly $50,000, provided by the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC) through the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of Georgia, will allow KSU Alumni from the Master of Social Work program, and masters level students, to offer individual and group therapy to people affected by property and other violent crimes for whom few free counseling support options currently exist.
“Other community partners serve special populations of victims, such as domestic violence and sexual assault and those who have lost loved ones to homicide,” said Kimberly McCoy, Director of the Victim Witness Assistance Unit in the DA’s Office. “But many victims of property crimes, for example, are traumatized by the perpetrator’s invasion of their privacy, yet are unable to obtain any help due to the limited availability of state resources for these crimes. These victims also deserve our assistance and trauma-informed response.”
Monica Nandan is Director of Strategic Partnerships and Social Impact at KSU.
“This innovative strategic partnership allows KSU and the WellStar College to create community impact with their alumni and students, by offering counseling services in an arena that currently doesn’t exist,” Nandan said. Irene McClathchey, Director of the MSW Program, concurred.
Mark Tillman, Dean of the WellStar College, stated: “The WellStar College of Health and Human Services is proud to be a part of this creative initiative — Cobb DA-WellStar College Clinic. This grant provides our graduates (Bekah Tchouta and Karen Ake) an opportunity to practice and students an opportunity to learn through engagement with community behavioral health services.”
While preference will be given to victims who have little to no other community options for counseling, any victim of crime may call to discuss eligibility. Grant funding allows counseling sessions to be offered free of charge to victims.
Grant funds will go toward start-up program development expenses, space rental, and counselor stipends. Counselors will accept appointments two days per week. For appointments, call 770-528-3047.
Victims of domestic violence, intimate partner violence, sexual assault, and elder abuse are encouraged to seek assistance through liveSAFE Resources, Inc., by calling 770-427-3390.
SafePath Children’s Advocacy Center offers assistance to victims of child sexual and physical abuse. SafePath’s telephone is 770-801-3465.
Surviving family members of homicide victims may contact the Crime Victims’ Advocacy Council at 770-333-9254 for assistance.
Domestic Violence and Adult Sexual Assault
For shelter, support groups, program services, counseling, community education and prevention, and Latino outreach, contact liveSAFE Resources or visit livesaferesources.org.
Child Abuse
For crisis services-intervention, assessment and treatment, forensic interviews, evaluation and counseling, and community education and prevention, contact the SafePath Children’s Advocacy Center or visit safepath.org.
Homicide Survivors
For support groups, annual memorial services, and community education, contact the Crime Victims Advocacy Council or visit cvaconline.org.