Verde Valley Sanctuary announced on Thursday, May 14, its agreement with the Town of Camp Verde to assist the Camp Verde Marshal’s Office with crisis response calls involving survivors of domestic and sexual violence.
“Survivors who chose to report their victimization to law enforcement will be able to interface with an advocate from Verde Valley Sanctuary almost immediately, as opposed to having to reach out for help on their own following victimization,” VVS Executive Director Jessye Johnson said.
The agreement was signed at the Camp Verde Town Council meeting May 6, and VVS agreed to provide on-scene support during CVMO domestic violence or sexual assault calls. The agreement allows VVS advocates to be at the hospital with a survivor.
“This partnership allows Verde Valley Sanctuary and the Marshal’s Office to benefit from each other’s experience and help survivors,” Johnson said. “Verde Valley Sanctuary can respond and deliver voluntary, trauma-informed services while deputies can focus their energy on holding perpetrators accountable.”
Additionally, VVS agreed to act as the survivors’ continuing support organization, offering housing assistance, case management and referrals in addition to helping them navigate the legal system to get orders of protection, divorce and separation agreements, file paperwork and attend court dates. Depending on availability, VVS can also offer emergency financial support, transportation, support groups and crisis intervention.
“Research shows that survivors who have access to an advocate from initial victimization have higher rates of participation in the criminal justice process and report an increase in their quality of life,” Johnson said, citing the “Criminal Prosecution of Domestic Violence Offenses: An Investigation of Factors Predictive of Court Outcomes” study in a 2005 report by Criminal Justice and Behavior.
In addition, VVS agreed to provide CVMO deputies and staff with training and information on the issues of domestic violence and sexual assault.
CVMO agreed to serve as a referral agency to VVS, and provide data for potential grant applications and program expansion.
“In fiscal year 2024-25, VVS provided services to more than 1,500 survivors, including nearly 9,500 bed nights and almost 1,300 crisis hotline calls answered — a 28% increase from the previous year,” VVS wrote in a press release.
The one-year agreement goes into effect Monday, June 1, for a duration of 12 months, with the ability to extend the partnership later if desired.
