Disability & Aging Crime Victims Unit

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Are you a Kansan with a disability who has been the victim of a crime? Or: Have you been the victim of elder abuse, neglect, or exploitation? We may be able to help you with your civil legal matter. Contact us to find out how we can help.

We help Kansans with disabilities or Kansas seniors who have been victims of crime. Our services are at no cost. 

Information & Referral: We can give you information about the justice system and your rights as a crime victim. If we can't help you, we will try to find someone who can.

Rehousing Assistance: We have funding to support certain rent, utility, or other expenses needed to rehouse people with disabilities and seniors who are crime victims who can't safely return to their previous housing due to the crime. These costs may include travel, assistance with the first year's rent and utilities (excluding security deposits), and other potential costs such as support services like childcare and counseling. Learn more here. 

Civil Legal Representation: If you need help with a civil legal matter, we might be able to help you.

Personal Advocacy: We may be able to help you get what you need by advocating on your behalf.

Navigating the Justice System: We can help you in the justice system, with things like:

  • Your victim's impact statement
  • Getting back money that you lost because of the crime

The services that we provide depend on the facts, the law, and how to achieve the best outcome for you.

Our Disability and Aging Crime Victims Unit may:

  • Help you understand your rights
  • Help you with your goals after the crime
  • Help you with your civil legal matter

Check out some client stories to better understand how we can help.

*NOTE: All names and some details in the examples have been changed to protect the confidentiality of our clients.

Kelli has multiple disabilities. Social Security checks are her only source of income. She was leaving an abusive relationship with her live-in partner and was staying at a local women’s shelter. Kelli had difficulty paying for permanent and stable housing because of her financial situation and physical disabilities. Kelli contacted DRC. DRC was able to use our rehousing funds to help Kelli relocate to a home that suited her needs and pay for her rent for a year.

Sarah was navigating the justice system as a victim of an attempted robbery. Sarah has a brain injury and needed help understanding her rights as a victim when talking about her case with the prosecuting attorney’s office. DRC went with her to meetings with the prosecuting attorney’s office to ensure her voice was heard and she understood each step of the process. DRC helped Sarah apply for Kansas Crime Victim’s Compensation. That gave her financial compensation for the money she had to pay for medical treatment after her attack.

Stephen is an adult with a disability who was previously appointed a guardian. Stephen’s guardian took control over every aspect of his life, including financially exploiting him, which is a crime. Stephen also demonstrated an ability to live independently without any need for a guardian’s intervention. DRC filed a petition with the court and successfully convinced a judge to remove Stephen’s guardian.

Kim has a disability and is a survivor of sexual assault. She missed several days of work as she was recovering from the assault. Kim’s employer fired her for missing work, so DRC helped Kim identify her rights as a sexual assault survivor and represented her in a civil action to get compensation for her wrongful termination.

Emmett is a victim of theft. Emmett has a mental illness that affected his ability to communicate clearly with the police. When Emmett went to the police to tell them about the theft, they turned him away and did not believe there was a crime to report. Emmett then came to DRC for help. DRC called the police department with Emmett to help him report the crime, this time with support. DRC helped him organize his thoughts and express himself more clearly. The police report was taken and completed.

This grant project is supported by subgrant number 24-VOCA-56 awarded through the Federal Office for Victims of Crime as administered by the Kansas Governor’s Grants Program. The opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication, program, or exhibition are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Office of the Kansas Governor or the U.S. Department of Justice.

Disability & Aging Crime Victims Unit