Today we’d like to introduce you to Anissa Perry.
Hi Anissa, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My story began as a military widow. I lost my husband to homicide on home from leave from desert storm by a family friend. I am Anissa Perry, the founder of Victims Advocate Support Services (V.A.S.S); I’m a nationally credentialed Advanced Homicide Intervention Specialist that is currently working with other families that have suffered a loss due to homicide. I have spent the last several years working with families before and during their court cases providing much-needed support and community resources.
I also work with court professionals and volunteer advocates to assist them with training while working with their clients. My goals are to empower these professionals on how to better understand and service their clients while in their early stages of grief.
Before starting as a victim’s advocate, I was a young military wife and mother of two toddler sons. My life was drastically changed May 2, 1992 after receiving a knock at my door telling me my husband was a victim of homicide. I found myself with no resources and no community support leaving me with no emotional support and no assistance.
After successfully raising my children, I returned to school and completed training to work with families like myself, specializing in grief and trauma. My passion is to bring healing to families who have been through traumatic experiences such as homicide. I wanted my personal losses to be exemplified in a positive way to better service families in crisis.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It was definitely not a smooth road. I suffered from depression, I self-medicated with food to deal with my grief. There was little to no community support and very little family support offered after the burial. No one knew how to deal with this kind of grief, so I grieved the best that I could alone.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about (VASS) Victims Advocate Support services?
(Vass) Victims Advocate Support Services is to assist and provide direct services to victims/survivors of violence and crime. Victimization does not end with the violence of the crime itself. V.A.S.S recognizes these complex issues and assists individuals and families in our community through a variety of direct services such as
Crisis Intervention
Emotional Support
Resources and Referral
Information on Victimization
Information on Criminal Justice Process
Intervention with Landlords, Creditors, and Employers on behalf of the victim
Information on Crime Prevention
Assistance with Bereavement/Memorial Arrangements
Assistance during Court Proceedings
Follow-up after Court Cases are Closed
Impact Training
Support Group Start-Up
Telephone Support
Life Coaching
Provide Prevention Services: No Further Retaliation
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Networking with other families of loss is always a great start.
Pricing:
- Free of charge
Contact Info:
- Website: www.vassnc.org
