Best Practices

Best Practices

Technology’s Role in Victim Services

Sep 16, 2025

8 min read

Jack DeWolf

Founder & CEO, Closure AI

Green Fern

Introduction

For victim service providers, from non-profit advocacy centers to victim assistance units in police and district attorney (DA) offices, fulfilling their mission often means doing more with less. These organizations support survivors of trauma through complex recovery processes, typically on tight budgets and with lean teams. In recent years, technology has emerged as a crucial ally in this effort, helping providers stretch resources, coordinate care, and ultimately improve outcomes for victims. National initiatives now recommend that agencies integrate technology into all aspects of service delivery and evaluation, reflecting a growing consensus: data-driven tools can enhance victim services in ways that were never before possible.


The Challenge: High Need, Limited Resources

Despite the critical work they do, victim service organizations operate under significant constraints. Funding is often limited relative to the demand for services. For example, Closure AI’s analysis of Form 990 filings and annual reports found:


Metric

Average

Median

Top Quartile (75th)

Bottom Quartile (25th)

Annual Spend

$6,035,015

$3,360,000

$7,380,000

$2,240,000

Clients Served

6,052

3,084

7,101

1,314

Cost per Client

$2,680.67

$1,442.60

$544.10

$2,369.65

This data highlights wide variability in efficiency. Some providers spend more than four times as much per client as others. While every victim deserves personalized support, these disparities underscore the urgent need for smarter systems that help providers serve more clients without additional funding.

Meanwhile, demand continues to rise. Advocates juggle heavy caseloads, extensive reporting requirements, and mounting administrative burdens. Without better tools, staff risk burnout and victims risk falling through the cracks.


How Technology Is Transforming Victim Services


1. Streamlined Case Management and Coordination

Digital case management systems centralize client information, replacing fragmented spreadsheets or paper files. This allows advocates, law enforcement, and prosecutors to work from the same secure source of truth. Survivors no longer need to repeat their story at every step, and providers ensure continuity across agencies.


2. Efficiency Through Automation

Technology reduces time spent on routine tasks like scheduling, reminders, and report generation. Automated workflows and AI-powered assistants help advocates focus on direct victim support while ensuring that no follow-up is missed.


3. Data-Driven Decision-Making

With integrated platforms, providers can track services, measure outcomes, and analyze trends. This data demonstrates impact to funders, guides resource allocation, and supports continuous improvement. Real-time dashboards replace hours of manual reporting, giving leaders actionable insights at a glance.


4. Expanded Reach Through Digital Channels

Mobile apps, chat services, and text-based hotlines make help available 24/7, meeting victims where they are. Digital tools extend access to those who cannot engage during business hours, who live in rural areas, or who require discreet communication for safety reasons.


5. Privacy and Security by Design

Modern victim services platforms prioritize security with encryption, strict access controls, and safe communication methods. Survivors can trust that their data remains confidential and that their outreach for help cannot be intercepted.


The Closure AI Approach: Building the Modern Era of Victim Services

At Closure AI, we believe victim service providers deserve the same level of modern, secure technology that other industries take for granted. We are building more than just software. We are creating a new model for how victims are supported.

Our platform is a modern case management system designed to transform providers into tech-enabled victim service organizations. This starts with giving every victim a dedicated mobile app that connects them directly to their advocate. Instead of relying solely on phone calls or paperwork, survivors can now access secure messaging, case updates, and resources digitally, when and where they need it most.

For providers, this shift unlocks powerful downstream impact. With a digital-first workflow, agencies can collect richer, more accurate data about each survivor’s experience. That data allows advocates to personalize recovery journeys at scale, tailoring support while still operating within limited budgets and staffing. In turn, leaders gain insights to demonstrate impact to funders, identify gaps, and ultimately serve more victims without burning out their teams.

Closure AI was founded by survivors and technologists who knew there had to be a better way. We saw firsthand how outdated tools forced advocates to spend more time managing systems than supporting people. Our mission is to change that by bringing human-centered technology to the heart of victim services.

Looking ahead, Closure AI is building toward a future where victim support is interconnected across organizations. With survivor consent, providers will be able to tap into a shared ecosystem that enables seamless referrals and collaboration across non-profits, DA offices, and law enforcement. This kind of cross-agency “ring” ensures no victim falls through the cracks, no matter where they first reach out for help.


Conclusion: Embracing Data to Better Serve Survivors

Technology’s role in victim services is no longer optional. It is essential. From lowering the cost per client, to expanding the reach of services, to ensuring every interaction is documented and secure, digital tools are helping providers amplify their impact. Importantly, this is not about replacing human compassion. It is about enhancing advocacy through smarter systems so that every victim receives timely, personalized, and effective support.

At Closure AI, we are proud to be at the forefront of this movement. By integrating data, automating workflows, and meeting victims digitally, we help providers achieve more with less without sacrificing the human connection at the core of this work.

👉 Ready to see how Closure AI can help your organization become a tech-enabled victim service provider? Schedule a demo today.


References


  1. Urban InstituteNational Survey of Victim Service Providers: Technology in Victim Services (on tech adoption, outcome tracking, and data challenges)

  2. Office for Victims of Crime (OVC)Vision 21: Transforming Victim Services (on funding projects that use technology creatively to expand access)

  3. Police Chief MagazineAI and Efficiency in Victim Response (on chatbots and automation improving efficiency and victim access to information)

  4. National Domestic Violence HotlineDigital Access Expansion (on chat, text, and video hotlines as critical tools for accessibility and safety)

  5. Closure AI Internal ResearchForm 990 Analysis of 89 Victim Service Providers (on average spend, cost per client, and efficiency gaps)

Photo by Christina Morillo from Pexels: https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-holding-laptop-computer-near-window-1181563/

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