In 1984 the Victim Witness Assistance Program was established by the Metropolitan Atlanta Crime Commission. It was determined that in order to help victims and witnesses of crime cope with problems of personal injury, property loss and psychological trauma, victim assistance services should be offered at the court level. Since 1984, AVA has advocated for the fundamental rights of victims and witnesses of crime, with compassion, dignity and respect. We provide comprehensive services that remove barriers, strengthen victims and their families and foster a healthy transition from victim to survivor.

In 2005 VWAP's name was changed to Atlanta Victim Assistance. Atlanta Victim Assistance, Inc. is a non-profit 501(C)3 organization dedicated to helping crime victims and witnesses deal with their unique situations. Through a highly-qualified, full-time and volunteer staff, we serve the vital needs of both victims and witnesses. AVA advocates specialize in the following areas of crime: Homicide, Child Abuse, Domestic Violence, Identity Theft and Bank Fraud, General Law Enforcement and Human Trafficking.

Atlanta Victim Assistance, Inc. advocates have principally served clients of cases adjudicated through the City of Atlanta Municipal Court. In our efforts to be more responsive, we have partnered with the Atlanta Police Department to address a critical gap in victims of crime whose perpetrators have not been identified. Each year Atlanta’s needs in this area continue to grow. The Atlanta Police Department responds to approximately 30,000 incidents of violent crime per year. Our partnership with the Atlanta Police Department allows us to provide more “hands-on” activities, such as crisis intervention at the crime scene and response to a twenty-four hour help line. Our advocates work directly in the police zones, responding to calls, assessing victims’ needs, and providing pre-case intervention and follow-up. Our advocates’ placement in the zones also facilitates our community outreach efforts, which include the awareness and education programs we provide to neighborhood associations, schools, and in the immigrant population.

Through highly-qualified, full-time and volunteer staff, we serve the vital needs of victims. AVA advocates specialize in the following areas of crime: homicide, child abuse, domestic violence, identity theft and bank fraud, and general (i.e., armed robberies, sexual assaults and terrorist threats).

Over the 20 years of our existence, AVA has been able to increase services to victims of crime by providing immediate services through first responder services; keeping victims informed of the status of their cases, providing crisis intervention an emotional support; offering support groups for survivors of victims of homicide and domestic violence; and by proving education on the criminal justice process to victims.

Atlanta Victim Assistance strives to help as many victims as possible from the time a crime has been committed against them until the criminal justice system has finished with the case or it is received by another advocacy agency.

Mission Statement
Atlanta Victim Assistance advocates for the fundamental rights of victims of crime with compassion, dignity and respect. AVA provides comprehensive services which remove barriers, strengthen victims and their families and foster a healthy transition from victim to survivor.