Programs that provide support for battered women, sexual assault survivors and other victims of crimes by having a staff member go with them when they require a medical examination to gather evidence or need to visit a police station to file a complaint or appear in court to give evidence.

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Programs that provide financial compensation for people who have suffered monetary losses as a direct result of some form of violent crime. Compensation is generally available to meet unreimbursed medical and hospital expenses, loss of wages or support, expenses encumbered by participation in job-related rehabilitation or retraining programs, and legal fees; or may be unrestricted in terms of purpose. Also included are programs that help people apply for these services.

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Programs notify victims of crimes, upon their request, of any change in the status of offenders including their address when first released, court rulings regarding sentence length, notice of parole or clemency-related events and proceedings (e.g., parole eligibility date, parole suitability hearing dates and times, parole decisions and conditions, parole release dates, parole violation hearings and parole revocation hearings), escape from institutional custody and apprehension, release from prison or death.

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Programs that provide a variety of supportive services for victims of crimes and their families which may include general emotional support, crisis counselling, information about police investigative procedures, liaison to police personnel, assistance in completing and filing applications for reimbursement of crime-related expenses or losses, information about the mechanics of court proceedings, advice concerning court appearances, court accompaniment services, assistance in preparing victim impact statements and referrals for other needed services such as medical treatment, shelter away from home, transportation, child care, financial assistance and protective services.

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Programs that provide opportunities for crime victims who have filed a written request and/or immediate family members to have input into proceedings where decisions regarding an offender's suitability for parole will be made. Services may include the ability to submit in-person, written, video or audio taped impact statements to the hearing panel; the opportunity to attend parole hearings personally or via videoconferencing and provide information to the paroling authority at the time the offender is being considered for parole; and the right to restitution as a condition of parole.

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Programs that provide opportunities for crime victims to meet with offenders in a safe, structured setting, discuss the circumstances and impact of the crime and participate in the formulation of a restitution plan which may be monetary, consist of work for the victim, entail community service, or involve other forms of compensation for harm that was caused. With the assistance of a facilitator, victims have an opportunity to ask questions and describe how the crime has affected them and/or their families. The focus of victim/offender conferencing is on victim healing, offender accountability and restoration of losses.

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