Mass casualties and natural disasters can and do occur in any and all communities in our country. Fortunately, in Pima County, when tragedy strikes, there is a program available to assist victims and witnesses of trauma. Participants in this session will learn about the Pima County Attorney’s Office Victim Services Division’s role in supporting crime victims both immediately following a criminal incident or crisis event and throughout the criminal justice system. They will get information about the response provided in the aftermath of the Tucson Tragedy (January 8, 2011) and the Las Vegas Shooting (October 2017). Vanessa Helms ~ Biography
Vanessa Helms is the Director of the Pima County Attorney’s Office Victim Services Division. Prior to this position she was the Executive Director of Homicide Survivors, Inc., in Tucson, Arizona. She has worked in victim services for over 13 years and has held a variety of positions including work as a crisis advocate and the coordinator of a crisis volunteer program with the Pima County Attorney’s Office and as the coordinator of the Pima County Crime Victim Compensation Program. Vanessa is a trainer on a variety of topics within the victim services field including, victimology, communication skills, crisis theory, crisis intervention and cybercrimes. She provides training statewide for the Arizona Victim Assistance Academy and internationally through the National Office for Victim Assistance. In addition, Vanessa has over 16 years of experience working with diverse populations in the human services field providing case management, education and training and therapy services. She is a graduate of the University of Arizona with an Interdisciplinary Studies degree and graduated from the University of Phoenix with a Master’s degree in Counseling.
