The Los Angeles District Attorney Bureau of Victim Services provides comprehensive victim services in Los Angeles County to help victims become survivors. This assistance is given independently of legal residency or citizenship. Services include crisis intervention; emergency assistance; counseling referrals; court escort and orientation; restitution assistance; returning of property; assistance with employers; and case status notification. The department serves victims with special needs (e.g., children, the elderly, persons with disabilities, etc.) and provides support in a variety of languages.

The Bureau would like to enhance its level of service provision through the use of technology to better reach and connect with and support victims of crime in LA County. Although the Bureau posts information on its website, http://da.lacounty.gov, it would like to provide a simplified and easily accessible method of informing victims of crime with locations where service can be provided. Additionally, it would like to direct victims to external services that would be of immediate assistance to a crime victim. A mobile website and/or an app could expand the departments reach, but it can also allow Victims Services Representatives to better focus on service delivery through the provision of timely and geographically appropriate information. A mobile website could provide innovative solutions based on location of services and other mobile features that the regular website cannot. It is of particular interest that victims would be directed to services in a location near them.

This project envisions students working closely with subject matter experts to define some of these innovative services that can be offered through mobile technology and to devise the mobile app and/or mobile website to deliver such services.