Trauma Recovery Center Model Provides Comprehensive Mental, Legal, and Other Crime-Related Assistance to Help Victims Heal from Violence

LANSING – Governor Gretchen Whitemer today signed a state budget agreement that includes an unprecedented $4 million for a 3-year trauma recovery center (TRC) pilot program at two locations in the state. These funds will establish TRC programs serving victims of crime, providing comprehensive wrap-around services such as legal assistance, mental health care, and connection to other crime-related services that will help survivors heal in the wake of violence. Members of Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice have advocated for the launch of over 30 TRCs nationwide, helping to stop cycles of victimization. Priscilla Bordayo, the Michigan state manager for Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice, released the following statement: “For over three years, crime survivors across Michigan have urged our elected leaders to prioritize the needs of victims and rethink how we approach public safety. We thank Governor Whitmer and the legislature for this historic moment as we focus on helping to heal communities most impacted by violence. It is undeniable that crime victims need more help to recover from the physical and emotional wounds in the wake of violence. This TRC pilot program will use evidence-based approaches to help end cycles of victimization, improve safety, and strengthen Michigan communities. TRCs will help countless survivors and families in their recovery. We are excited to be working with Henry Ford Health Systems to implement this life-changing pilot program. We look forward to continuing to work with Governor Whitmer to help support victims and make Michigan safer for all.” About the Alliance for Safety and Justice The Alliance for Safety and Justice is a national organization that aims to win evidence-based new safety priorities in states across the country. It also brings together diverse crime survivors to advance policies that help communities most harmed by crime and violence, as part of Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice – its national network of over 100,000 crime survivors with over 7,000 members in Michigan. For more information, visit: https://allianceforsafetyandjustice.org or https://cssj.org.

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