Georgia Parole Review Fall 2018 | Page 5

Georgia Office of Victim Services

The Georgia Office of Victim Services is available to serve crime victims year round. By attending community events, Director Shalandra Robertson and her staff are engaging victims throughout the year.

Last August staff assisted crime victims by attending the National Night Out Event sponsored by the Clayton County Police Department in Jonesboro. The event helps strengthen the relationship between the community and law enforcement.

In September, Victim Services distributed information at the 24th Annual Commission on Family Violence Conference at Jekyll Island and also attended a candlelight vigil sponsored by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) at Savannah State University.

It marked the second MADD candlelight vigil in 2018 of which the Office of Victim Services participated.

In October, during Domestic Violence Awareness month, the office attended the Community Resource Fair and Domestic Violence Symposium hosted by DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston. This event brought several community partners together to raise awareness about the issue of domestic violence.

Also in October, the Office of Victim Services attended the 2nd Annual Domestic Violence Community Forum hosted by the Atlanta Suburban Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. This event, at South Atlanta High School, focused on teen dating violence. Community stakeholders, local law enforcement, as well as domestic violence survivors came together to discuss the impact of domestic violence and the resources that are available to victims.

Crime Victims served

year round

The Georgia Office of Victim Services created 163 bags of personal hygiene items for distribution to domestic violence shelters in south Georgia following Hurricane Michael. The shelters were Liberty House of Albany, The Haven in Valdosta, Magnolia House in Waycross, Ruth’s Cottage in Tifton, and Colquitt County Serenity House in Moultrie.

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