HOME Court House Justice Center West Wing Blog Seward County Victim's Assistance Official: Wendy Elston Victim Advocate: Michelle Kelly Phone: (402) 643-3056 (office) (877)-388-4673 ( Hope Crisis Center 24 hour line) Location: Courthouse - Room 101 Office Hours: Monday-Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Functions of Victim's Assistance The Seward Victim Assistance Program is committed to providing free services to survivors of crimes, including information, opportunities, referral, advocacy and support, especially in the criminal justice system processes. On behalf of victims, we act as liaisons between victims and a variety of justice system departments. We aspire to empower and assist survivors of crime in their recovery. Services Provided Advise victim of charges being filed in the case Advise victim of case status, hearings and outcomes Provide confidential crisis intervention and emotional support for victim & family Provide victim with community resource referrals Assist victim with the process for filing a protection order (Domestic Abuse, Harassment or Sexual Assault) Assist victim with the Crime Victim Compensation application for restitution Assist victim with the process of completing a Victim Impact Statement Provide support during victim meetings and depositions Court accompaniment Liaison between victim and County Attorney's Office Where can I pick up forms for protection orders? Forms are free and located at the following: Victim Services Office (Courthouse #101) Seward, NE The District Court Office (Justice Center) Seward, NE Online Who can help me fill out a protection order? The Seward County Victim Assistance Advocate will be happy to help you with all the forms and documentation required to submit your protection order. The advocate is located at the Victim Services office in the Seward Courthouse #101. Where do I file/submit my protection order after I fill it out? Protection Orders are filed at the District Court office located in the Justice Center, 261 S. 8th St. Seward, NE. How much does it cost to file a protection order? Forms and filing for any protection order is free. However, the court may assess such fees and costs if the court finds statements contained in the application were false and that the protection order was sought in bad faith by the petitioner. Resources and Links Blue Valley Community Action Partnership 402-643-6425 Child Abuse Hotline 1-800-652-1999 County Attorney 402-643-2795 Hope Crisis (24 hour domestic violence; sexual assault crisis line) 1-877-388-4673 Low Income Legal Aid of Nebraska 1-877-250-2016 Mothers Against Drunken Driving – MADD 1-800-444-6233 National Center for Victims of Crime 1-800-394-2255 Nebraska Coalition for Victims of Crime 1-800-944-6282 NE Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Coalition 1-877-215-0167 VINE (Victim Inmate Notification System) 1-877-634-8463 This system allows crime victims and concerned citizens information regarding criminal cases and Notification when offenders’ custody status changes: www.vinelink.com Court House 529 Seward St Seward, NE 68434 Justice Center 261 S 8th Street Seward, NE 68434 West Wing 322 S 14th Seward, NE 68434 © 2021 by Seward County, Nebraska