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Tribal Victims Assistance

Crime in our communities touches all of us.  When one person is victimized, we all as a community suffer.  If you are not personally a victim of crime, then you know a relative, friend or neighbor who is.  Being a victim of, or witness to, crime can be a frightening experience. You often feel violated by the intrusion into your life and are left with feelings of anger and pain.  If you or anyone you know is going through victimization due to a crime, we are here to help.

 

The GTB Tribal Victim Assistance (TVA) Program has been created to provide support and assistance to victims of all types of crime, whether charges have been filed or not.  The TVA program provides services to any federally recognized tribal member living within the six county service area, as well as to any person who has had a crime committed against them on tribal lands.

 

Types of services provided by the GTB Tribal Victim Assistance Program:

  • Informs Victims of their rights
  • Transportation assistance to Court
  • Emotional support
  • Counseling referrals
  • Informs Victims of court dates in person, by mail, telephone, or email
  • Provide referrals and assist in locating services to meet immediate needs
  • Assist in relocation of victim to a safe place
  • Possible financial emergency assistance
  • Advocacy and support in Tribal, State, and Federal Courts
  • Assistance in filing Personal Protection Orders (PPO’s)
  • Assistance in filing for Restitution
  • Assistance in filing Victims Compensation Claims

 

TVA Director:  231-534-7525

Tribal Police:  231-534-7777

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Victim Rights:

The Grand Traverse Band Criminal Code (Title 9, Chapter 5; eff. May 29, 2019 http://www.gtbindians.org/downloads/gtb_victims_rights_ordinance.pdf ) has given Crime Victims the right to:

 

  • Be reasonably protected from the accused.
  • Reasonable, accurate, and timely notice of any public court proceeding, or any parole proceeding, involving the crime or of any release or escape of the accused.
  • Not be excluded from any such public court proceeding, unless the court, after receiving clear and convincing evidence, determines that testimony by the victim would be materially altered if the victim heard other testimony at that proceeding.
  • Be reasonably heard at any public proceeding in the court involving release, plea, sentencing, or any parole proceeding.
  • Confer with the attorney for the government in the case.
  • Full and timely restitution as provided in law.
  • Proceedings free from unreasonable delay.
  • Be treated with fairness and with respect for the victim’s dignity and privacy.
  • Be informed in a timely manner of any plea bargain or deferred prosecution agreement.
  • Be informed of the rights under this section and any services offered by GTB.