New website launches to help victims of gun violence in Indy

INDIANAPOLIS — A new website from IMPD is dedicated to help victims of crime.

The new website, indynfsresources.com, provides a one-stop shop with resources and programs for those who have experiences gun violence or some sort of violent incident in their lives.

The website hopes to connect victims, families and witnesses with information about medical services, mental health services, domestic violence support, transportation and more.

Provided

"After you've been a victim of a crime or your loved one has, it's very difficult to try to navigate 10 different spaces to get what you need. Sometimes, you don't even know what you need," Deandra Dycus, IMPD Manager of Non-Fatal Victim Advocacy and Support, said. "Being able to click on one website and having different options in front of you — it just makes a world of difference when you're going through trauma and you don't know how your life is going to look tomorrow or even in the next hour, depending on how critical the situation is."

Deandra started the organization Purpose 4 My Pain after her son DeAndre was shot by a stray bullet while at a birthday party in February 2014. DeAndre is now a quadriplegic.

Photo provided

"When I went through this ... there was not like a one stop place," Dycus said. "[Having a website like this] would have made my life a lot easier."

When DeAndre was released from the hospital, he did not have a permanent wheelchair. Deandra drove a Dodge Charger and says she cried and screamed while calling ten different numbers trying to figure out to get DeAndre to doctor's visits.

"It added to the trauma, it added to the anguish. People don't understand just how much easier things can be if I have a little bit of information," Deandra said.

READ MORE: Mothers impacted by gun violence talk about change during National Gun Violence Survivors Week | Healing trauma through art in wake of gun violence in Indianapolis

The website’s release comes at an important time in the area.

Data from IMPD shows gun violence has increased in Indy during the first three months of 2023.

So far in 2023, there have been 97 victims of non-fatal shootings in the city. The is an increase from 74 at this time last year.

RELATED: Indianapolis mom turns gun violence tragedy into a purpose | Indianapolis mother speaks at DNC: 'One shot changed our lives forever'