Wheeling PD Hires Two For Victims Advocacy Program
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WHEELING -- Two employees have been brought on to a program by Wheeling police to help assist crime victims get back on their feet
Last week, the Wheeling Police Department welcomed Brenda Steiniger and Emily Wizba, both of Wheeling, to the Victims Advocacy Program.
Steiniger will serve as victim coordinator, while Wizba will be a victim specialist.
The program, still in development, will help any person who becomes a victim of a crime. The advocates will be the first line for contact for any victim and will work to consistently stay in direct contact, so they are not left behind. Both Steiniger and Wizba will together work with several local agencies that offer similar services.
Police Chief Shawn Schwertfeger had previously said he was interested in establishing a program in the city to help victims, who he said often fall through a "huge loophole" with regard to finding access to the services available to them. He said a victim advocate can walk people through follow-up medical care, psychological needs, requesting restitution and writing a victim impact statement to be read in court.
"I could not be happier with the selection of Brenda and Emily," Schwertfeger stated in a release Monday. "Both are highly educated and have already developed an excellent working relationship and brought great energy to what we are trying to accomplish. After one week of work, I have observed all our core values in each of them.
"I believe victim advocacy needs a renewed focus and this program will enhance our service delivery and at the end of the day, make our department a much more professional and efficient one.
"Now that we have staffed the positions, I am excited to see the benefits of providing additional services to crime victims and the continued development of the WPD as a model law enforcement agency in the region and state," he added.
Steiniger has been involved in helping people most of her professional career. After graduating from West Liberty University with a degree in communications, she obtained her master's degree in human services from Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va. She spent 18 years working for the Sexual Assault Help Center in Wheeling, as well as Habitat for Humanity, where she served as executive director. She also is a Family Court mediator.
"We will be here through every step of the healing process," she said. "Just know that help is available for crime victims."
Wizba, a graduate of West Virginia University with a master's degree in counseling and an undergraduate in psychology, is eager to get to work. She recently worked as a trauma liaison for Crittenton Services in Wheeling. She hopes to use her counseling skills and applying that knowledge by helping victims.
"My hope, along with Brenda is to craft this program in a way that will truly benefit the City of Wheeling," Wizba said. "There is healing for every victim. It's a passion we both have, and already, we've been put to work."
The Wheeling Police Department began accepting applications for the program at the beginning of the year, after receiving funding through the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Victims of Crime. The federal office in December provided $272,464 to fund the program through 2023. Published reports indicate that the salary for the victim specialist position is $28,000, while the coordinator role pays $35,000 per year.
Wheeling was one of 34 cities across the country to receive the grant when it was announced in early October. An advisory committee is currently being established to monitor the program's success.