These teams find out if each victimis safe and if not, <strong>of</strong>fer to take him/her to a shelter. Our advocates go onto provide the victim with informationabout the services available, such as the<strong>Texas</strong> Crime Victims’ CompensationFund and the U-Visa program. The advocatesalso explain how the criminaljustice system works and give the victimsome ideas for developing a safetyplan. Our investigators then gather additionalcontact information, includingthe telephone numbers <strong>of</strong> family membersand close friends, so that later onwe have alternative ways <strong>of</strong> reachingthe victim. They also obtain a recordsrelease form if the victim receivedmedical treatment, take photographs<strong>of</strong> any visible injuries that have developedsince the police took pictures, andcollect any evidence that might havebeen overlooked or unavailable duringthe initial investigation.Once all <strong>of</strong> that is done, the informationis put together into complete casefiles by our administrative assistantsand then we have our meeting. Eachcase is thoroughly evaluated by a team<strong>of</strong> prosecutors, investigators, victim advocates,law enforcement liaisons, militarypersonnel, and local mental healthproviders. We collect a number <strong>of</strong> importantdata points as we go, to help uskeep track <strong>of</strong> trends in family violenceso that we can remain proactive instead<strong>of</strong> reactive. After each case is reviewed,a minimum recommendation for anyplea agreement is made by the DistrictAttorney himself and physically writteninto the case file in bold red ink thatno one could overlook, which is whythese recommendations have come tobe known as “red writing” here in ElPaso. The red ink began accidentally,but it quickly became instrumental inchanging the culture <strong>of</strong> family violenceprosecution in our courthouse. Once aprosecutor or defense attorney picks upa file and sees the red writing from theDistrict Attorney himself, they knowit’s a case to be taken seriously.Our unit includes specialized familyviolence prosecutors at both thefelony and misdemeanor levels whohandle their own dockets and serve asa resource to the other eighty or so attorneysin our <strong>of</strong>fice who end up withthe many family violence cases that wechoose not to keep “in house.” El Pasois also lucky enough to have two dedicatedfamily violence criminal courtsand a civil court that handles nothingbut protective order cases. By workingtogether and effectively utilizing all ourassets, we’ve been able to do so muchmore than just ensure that every victimis contacted throughout the prosecutionprocess; we’ve been able to achievegreater justice for more victims thanever before.Results & Future DirectionThese efforts have paid <strong>of</strong>f tremendously.The Office <strong>of</strong> the Governorrecently sponsored a study <strong>of</strong> our programby the Institute on Domestic Violenceand Sexual Assault at the University<strong>of</strong> <strong>Texas</strong> at Austin, School <strong>of</strong> SocialWork. After a detailed review led byDr. Noël Busch-Armendariz and Dr.Sapana Donde, including interviewswith victims in El Paso, the study drewthe following conclusions:1. Implementation <strong>of</strong> the 24 HourContact program has instituted anoteworthy paradigm shift in El Paso,where family violence is viewed as a seriousand prosecutable crime that willnot be easily dismissed and for which<strong>of</strong>fenders will be held accountable fortheir crimes <strong>of</strong> violence. The programhas altered legal practices by criminaljustice pr<strong>of</strong>essionals—including ADAs,law enforcement, and defense attorneys—andincreased skill-building,peer support, and mentorship with theDistrict Attorney’s Office. Unfortunately,myths about family violence persist,so efforts to address these myths shouldcontinue.2. The 24 Hour Contact programprovides significant emotional supportto family violence victims and increasestheir access to important communityand financial resources.3. Collaborations among key playersin the criminal justice system and communityvictim service providers (e.g.,law enforcement, local family violenceshelter, probation, and the BatteringIntervention and Prevention Program)have been considerably strengthenedas a result <strong>of</strong> the program.4. The prosecution <strong>of</strong> family violencehas been significantly enhancedthrough the collection <strong>of</strong> better evidence,an increase in evidence gathering,improved preparation <strong>of</strong> case files,and an increase in preparedness andeffectiveness <strong>of</strong> ADAs for trial.5. Victims and pr<strong>of</strong>essionals in thecriminal justice system reported arange <strong>of</strong> mixed reactions to the districtattorney’s stance on victimless prosecution.Some favored having the burden<strong>of</strong> responsibility placed on ADAs, whilea minority <strong>of</strong> victims expressed frustrationwith diminished control over decision-makingregarding the prosecution<strong>of</strong> <strong>of</strong>fenders.The above is from pages eight andnine <strong>of</strong> the report summarizing thestudy (which is available at http://www.utexas.edu/ssw/dl/files/cswr/institutes/idvsa/publications/El-Paso.pdf). Ourhope is that the successful strategieswe’ve employed to aid victims andhold <strong>of</strong>fenders accountable can be usedjust as effectively throughout <strong>Texas</strong>.continued on page 54 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2012| THE VICTIM’S INFORMER
We’re proud <strong>of</strong> the difference we’remaking and always looking for newand better ways to help crime victims.Sometimes, like our work in the community,that means strong partnerships.Other times, like our computers anddigital video recorders, that means bettertechnology. And <strong>of</strong>ten, like our dailyhome visits and case review meetings,that means more sophisticated organizationand institutional approaches.But always, it means keeping victimsin mind and putting them first. Wedon’t just contact the victim before wedispose <strong>of</strong> a case; we make the victim apriority in every decision we make andaction we take. That is our mandate andthe challenge we <strong>of</strong>fer up to everyonewho cares about making a difference inthe lives <strong>of</strong> <strong>Texas</strong> victims.<strong>Texas</strong> Victim Assistance Training OnlineT V A TThe <strong>Texas</strong> <strong>Department</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Criminal</strong> <strong>Justice</strong>Victim Services Division and keyStakeholders are excited to launch the<strong>Texas</strong> Victim Assistance Training (TVAT)Online!An experiential format for learning aimed at new victim services pr<strong>of</strong>essionals in <strong>Texas</strong>Through a grant award from the Office <strong>of</strong> the Governor, <strong>Criminal</strong> <strong>Justice</strong> Division, and assistance from key stakeholders, the <strong>Texas</strong><strong>Department</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Criminal</strong> <strong>Justice</strong> - Victim Services Division, is now <strong>of</strong>fering web-based training focused on victim-centered servicedelivery and pr<strong>of</strong>essional development that complements other victim services initiatives and enables new advocates to acquirebaseline pr<strong>of</strong>essional skills and competence.Completion <strong>of</strong> the training will provide victim services pr<strong>of</strong>essionals with the necessary tools for providing consistent andappropriate services to crime victims, working collaboratively with partner agencies serving victims, and providing a model <strong>of</strong>pr<strong>of</strong>essionalism for victim services practitioners who serve our community and enhance our quality <strong>of</strong> life.Access anywhere, anytime CEUs availableLearn at your own pace No CostsCertificate issued upon completionStart NowTo register or obtain more information,visit www.tdcj.state.tx.us/php/tvatonline/SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2012| THE VICTIM’S INFORMER 5