Office of the DeKalb County District Attorney

Stone Mountain Judicial Circuit

Sherry Boston, District Attorney

Program Overview

As the only Victim-Witness Assistance Program (VWAP) for victims of felony crimes in DeKalb County, our legislative, professional, and ethical role is to establish and maintain a valuable and necessary link for victims of all crime in the community, and specialized community service providers, to the criminal justice system. There is no other agency that is legally required, nor has the ability, to complete these services to victims in the criminal justice system.

Prosecution-based VWAP’s in Georgia generally guide victims of crime through confusing and complex court processes, assist victims in receiving appropriate restitution and compensation, and provide resource and referral to victims. VWAP’s also present the needs, concerns, and perspectives of crime victims to the community, elected officials, and public policy makers.

Official Role of the Victim Advocate 
The official role of the Victim Advocate in any office is as the voice of the victim. The Advocacy role is neither a primary nor preliminary fact finder.

The purpose of victim advocacy is to promote the relationship between the system and a victim of crime and ease the victim through the process ensuring that all resources, remedies and rights are available.

The primary focus of victim advocacy is on the needs of the victim.