VST History & Mission

History

VST was created in 1996 to bridge the gap in services for domestic violence survivors immediately after a 911 call. Established in partnership with the Seattle Police Department, VST was uniquely able to respond to crisis needs and address the resource and safety concerns in the immediate moment following an incident.

Since then, our program has evolved and expanded to join the Crime Survivor Services Unit with the Human Services Department. In partnership with the Crime Victim Advocates, VST now offers our services to survivors of sexual assault, commercial sexual exploitation, elder abuse, and general violent crimes.

Mission

The mission of the Victim Support Team is to create a rewarding and sustainable partnership between community volunteers and police to address and prevent domestic violence. The Victim Support Team is committed to providing comprehensive, culturally relevant, and supportive services to domestic violence victims and their children.