Trauma Victim Services

Tribal Victims Assistance Services (TVAS) serves members of the Wind River Reservation who are victims of harmful, threatening, or violent incidents. Advocates support individuals of all ages who have experienced domestic violence, intimate partner/dating violence, sexual violence, stalking, child abuse/neglect/drug endangerment, children who witness violent crimes, elder abuse/neglect, human trafficking, physical assaults, and others. TVAS recognizes that many of these victimizations are directly related to historical trauma that Northern Arapaho and Eastern Shoshone communities suffered from colonization and boarding schools. 

TVAS advocates use their expertise to help victims and families through victim-centered and trauma-informed empowerment that elevates culture as the primary healer. Services include crisis intervention, emergency safety planning, assistance with victims compensation, medical advocacy, judicial advocacy, referrals to community agencies, cultural healing practices, support groups and much more. Advocates perform many roles from supporting individuals and families to being educators and trainers for the community. Comprehensive education is key to help the community understand the root cause of different kinds of violence happening and to collaboratively create strategies to address and prevent it.

Most of all, we always believe victims. When advocates create a safe space, healing prospers and victims evolve into survivors. It’s important for the Wind River community to heal culturally together to see an end to the cycle of violence. Part of the TVAS mission is to eliminate the stigma of victimization and seeking help by creating a stronger and more connected community.