The City of Mesquite has a Victims’ Advocate Unit composed of two full-time, trained, all-crime victim advocates, Brook Whipple and Calep Guillen, and nine volunteers. They serve the entire Virgin Valley area and are supervised by Police Captain Chris Rowley.

The work they do is mostly unobserved behind the scenes, yet is most important to victims of domestic violence, fraud, property damage, child and elder abuse, human trafficking, assault and stalking. These victims can be left not knowing where to go, what to do or how to get help.

“That is where we can help,” said Whipple. “We offer immediate emergency resources. We can help victims report crimes, fill out paperwork, provide battery victims with emergency safety and provide a safe environment for children until Child Protective Services can come and get them. We can help victims get transportation home if frauded or left stranded by their abuser.”

The local Victims’ Advocate Unit was established in 2017 by Michelle Reber with a VAWA (Violence Against Women Act) grant. In 2018, Shannon Harris was hired. The next year, they applied for a Victims of Crime Act Grant. The VOCA grant allowed them to help victims of all crimes and not just women. They have been re-applying for the VOCA grant ever since. The VOCA program covers medical bills, lost wages, housing and other expenses and is funded by fines and fees that offenders must pay to the courts. 

Whipple was working in the police station records department when she became involved with the program approximately six years ago. “I am so amazed and grateful to this community full of people who care and volunteer to help however they can,” Whipple said. “Many ladies supply us with homemade quilts, stuffed animals, toys and games for the kids. Mesquite Gaming has made it possible for us to have a safe and secure ‘Fun Kids Room’ with TV, colorful walls and fun things to do while we are waiting for Child Services to come. It has taken as long as seven hours before CPS can get here. It is a dramatic time for the victims, and we want to give them support, as well as resource knowledge.”

Victims’ advocates get SafeNest involved with folks who need shelter and Animal Control for the animals that need emergency shelter. Counselors are provided for those who need mental support. They are the go-between people. However, if a victim must go to court and is uncomfortable with it, the advocates will appear in court to support them, or even take their place and report back to them if the victim feels too uneasy.

The advocates are trained to provide support, show empathy toward victims and offer resources. Victims’ advocates go on an average of 25 calls per month, at all hours of the day or night.

If you are interested in volunteering time or resources, call 702-346-5244. If you are seeking help from the Victims’ Advocate Unit, call the police non-emergency number, 702-346-6911.