Victim Services Provides Information To Community

Heather Henry, victim specialist for Glasgow and Valley County, performed community outreach May 2, along with some Glasgow Police Department officers. The crew teamed up with Valley Cinemas to give away small bags of popcorn to raise awareness of the services the Victim Services division offers. Henry, who also serves Sheridan, Daniels and Phillips counties, has been in her current position for eight months now, bringing to the position a history of behavioral health and a passion for the criminal justice and law enforcement field.

Previously, Henry worked as a peer support/recovery coach with the nonprofit group Montana’s Peer Network in affiliation with the Eastern Montana Community Mental Health Center in Glasgow. In that position Henry cultivated a positive working relationship with local law enforcement officers. When the grant for the nonprofit ran out, Henry was offered the opportunity to take over the Victim Services Division with the Glasgow Police Department.

Her experience as a peer support counselor provided a strong background for her new position. As a peer support counselor, Henry was able to draw upon her empathetic skills to help other individuals in the recovery process. That empathy will now cross over in her work assisting victims of crime. Henry is bringing that passion to her current position, telling the Courier, “I feel that community policing and public awareness is such an important concept this day and age, as we are finding that building rapport and relationships with community members is how we will hopefully be able to curb crime rates, domestic violence, re-victimization cases, generational trauma rates, etc.”

She sees her outreach as part of an effort to educate the public on the services offered by her department and to challenge preconceived notions of who becomes a victim. “I think one of the biggest obstacles we face as a department is the public lacking the knowledge of what services we are able to provide,” Henry said. “We are not only here for victims of assaults. We are here for anyone who is a victim of a crime of any type. That ranges anywhere from stalking/harassment/threats, to identity theft, injuries caused by others, vandalism, arson, car accidents.”

As such, the Victim Services division delivers a number of resources for residents of northeastern Montana who may have found themselves in need of law enforcement. In addition to being the prime support person for any survivor of crime and/or violence, Henry said, “There is so much that we do. We help navigate the court system, gather any info that law enforcement, attorneys may need to help you with your case. File victim comp claims, connect with legal services or any other resources that may be available.”

Services offered at the Victim Services Division were expanded under the previous specialist, Renee Jones. Jones evolved her program from giving a voice to victims of domestic violence to encompassing all crime victims. As the Victim Witness Specialist, Jones was awarded one of three 2016 Outstanding Crime Victim Advocate of the Year awards from Attorney General Tim Fox.

A typical case is referred to the division by law enforcement officials, as they are usually first on the scene of any incident. However, self-referrals also happen, as do referrals from family members or friends. Each case is different and unique approaches are taken to navigate the criminal justice system. “For the most part with everyone we will connect to legal services, attend court hearings with them, or bare minimum keep them in the loop on what is going on with their case,” Henry explained. “If there is any restitution needed we help them with the paperwork for that or victim’s compensation claims. We can be there as support through legal proceedings but we do not give legal advice.”

Specialists within the department can assist with paperwork but it is ultimately up to the victim in a case to complete the footwork. Henry maintains contact with victims throughout their case and provides follow-up work, such as if an offender is to be released and/or to work through safety plans. Henry may work with a client only once or on an ongoing basis as needed. Adaptability is a key requirement for Henry’s work.

With the quarantine and stay-at-home orders slowing lifting, Henry is expecting an uptick in need for services. She said that while cases are steadily coming in from all four counties, the numbers have been down over the last several weeks with fewer people out and about. Currently, all cases are handled solely by Henry but the division is looking to add another position to help spread the load.

In addition to her full-time position as the Victim Specialist, Henry is raising her family and maintains an appointment-only presence at Salon Cheveaux, which she owns. When offered the position GPD, she downsized that business, but maintains services along with Sharon Wemmer.

The Victim Services division is located at the Glasgow Police Department and may be reached at 406-228-8050 or 406-228-4333.