Victim Assistance Program

VINE: Victim Information Notification Everyday

To access offender location and custody information, call: 1(800) 456-3076
https://vinelink.com

Protection Orders: Montana Specific

Link for protection order information, steps to apply, and downloadable forms.
https://dojmt.gov/victims/forms/

Program Services

Immediate Support

On Scene Response, Crisis Intervention, Emotional Support, Death Notification, Interview Assistance, transportation, needs assessment, safety planning

Ongoing Support

Accompany to: Counseling, Court, Sex Assault Exam, Hospital, Medical Appointments, Other Service Providers, Case Updates, Order of Protection

Resources and Referrals

Adult protective services, child protection services, clothing assistance, counseling/mental health provider, crime scene clean up, crime victim’s compensation, employment, financial or credit counseling, food assistance, foreign government, HIV/STI testing, housing/shelter, interpreter services, legal services, local agencies, medical services, personal effects cleaning and repair, tribal agencies

Court Support

Trial prep/ prosecutor meetings, court accompaniment, victim impact statements, court updates, family briefings arranged

General Information for All Victims

• If you have reported your crime to the police, an investigator will be assigned to your case and will contact you as soon as possible
• VINE (Victim Information Notification Everyday) is a system designed to automatically call victims by phone when their perpetrator is released from jail in Montana. This service is free of charge. To register for this service please call (800) 456-3076
• If you or someone in your family suffered an injury or death as a result of a crime, you might qualify for compensation by the state of Montana Crime Victims’ Compensation Program, financial compensation may be paid for lost wages, medical bills, counseling expenses, and funeral/burial assistance. To speak to an advocate about qualifying please contact your local Victim/Witness office listed on the back of this brochure. You may also call Montana victims’ compensation at (406) 444-3653

Montana Crime Victim Rights

1. The right to information about all events related to the case
2. The right to have a prosecutor and/or victim advocate present when a victim is interviewed
3. The right to know the offender’s location at all times from arrest until his or her release from supervision
4. The right to protection from intimidation, harassment, discrimination, and abuse throughout the criminal justice system
5. The right to attend court proceedings unless the court determines that the victim’s absence is necessary to a fair trial
6. The right to one free copy of public documents in their case, Court documents are available from the clerk of the court in the county in which the case was prosecuted
7. Victims and immediate family members of sex crimes have the rights to request that the sentencing judge, parole board, or probation officer order the offender to have no contact with them

Mission Statement

The mission of the Victim/Witness Specialist Program is to offer compassionate support and resources to victims, witnesses, and survivors of crime and crisis through effective response and community outreach.

Grant Support

This project was supported by Grant No.15-V8892146 awarded by the Montana Board of Crime Control (MBCC) through the office of Justice Programs, US Department of Justice, Points of view in this document are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the US Department of Justice.