Crisis & Advocacy Services (Formerly Victim Services)
Polk County Crisis & Advocacy Services (PCCAS) is a division of the Polk County
Department of Community, Family & Youth Services that provides assistance to
victims of crime in Polk County regardless of race, gender, age, ethnicity, sexual
orientation, physical or mental disabilities.
Mission Statement
Polk County Crisis & Advocacy Services provides a continuum of proactive services
and advocacy to victims/survivors of violent crime. We promote a safe and caring
community through public education and collaboration.
Vision Statement
Restore, revitalize and strengthen victims/survivors of violent crime in the Polk
County community.
Polk County Crisis & Advocacy Services...
provides crisis intervention and on-going supportive services.
offers services to victims regardless of law enforcement involvement or length of
time since the assault or abuse.
- 24 hour crisis response services
- Connection to Crime Victim Compensation Program
- Advocacy with the judicial and law enforcement agencies
- Public education
- Support groups and age appropriate education in the school system
- Victim impact panels
- Community debriefings
- Counseling sessions
- Support groups
- Art therapy services to children who have been traumatized by violent crime
- Referrals to appropriate community services
All services are
free, voluntary and
confidential. For more information, please call (515) 286-3600.
Events and Activities
SART - Mid-Iowa Sexual Assault Response Team
Assists in sexual assault cases to aid the victim. The purpose of SART is to provide
quality, compassionate and consistent care to victims of sexual assault. To reduce
the time victims spend at healthcare facilities to receive medical care.
Violent Crime
Provides counseling and support services for victims of personal violent crimes.
- Robbery
- Fraud/Forgery
- Burglary
- Property Crime
- Hate Crime
Homicide Crisis Response
Involves respectful and caring response to survivors of loved ones that have been
murdered. Counselors are available to help families, friends and loved ones begin
to cope with their loss and with the many demands placed upon them.
Coping After Suicide Support Services
This program offers crisis response, counseling, art therapy sessions, and a support
group to family members who have lost a loved one to suicide.
Art Therapy
This component offers services for children and referred adults who have been victimized,
have witnessed or have been impacted by a violent crime.
C-SARC - Child Sexual Abuse Resource Coalition
Coordinates the efforts of community agencies that respond to reports of child sexual
abuse, seek to protect and support the child from further abuse, provide treatment
for the child and the family and assist the Criminal Justice System in holding the
offender responsible.
IFSAP - Intra-Family Sexual Abuse Program
The primary goal is to stop child abuse and support the victim. These wrap around
services work to make the home environment protective and to provide prevention
and safety information to the victim and non-offending parent. At the same time,
the offender is provided treatment with the Fifth Judicial District.