About The Fair
The Naperville Police Department reminded victims of crime they are not alone.
As part of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, the department held a Victim Services Information Fair at North Central College. The event was an opportunity for the community to learn about the wide variety of services available to victims of crime.
“I don’t think that becoming a crime victim is something people really prepare for. It’s not something that we talk about openly in society,” said Gianna Trombino, victim advocate in the Social Services Department at the NPD. “So coming through and learning about the resources as well as our agencies opportunity to network with each other is just a great opportunity.
About fifteen agencies came out to share information on services like free counseling and legal advocacy. One example, Guardian Angel Community Services, helps victims of domestic abuse.
“I think it’s great because they can call our 24-hour hotline number and just know that there’s always a live person on the other end of the phone willing to work with them and provide them with that extra emotional support and kind of go through our services and to see what needs they need and be able to help meet them,” said Alise Perna, legal advocate at Guardian Angel Community Services.
How to Get Help
If you don’t know where to start looking for help, Trombino recommends checking out the Naperville Police Department website. It has a section dedicated to this topic and may encourage you to reach out, which she says is the hardest step.
Naperville News 17’s Aysha Ashley Househ reports.
