Victim's Informer Newsletter - Texas Department of Criminal Justice

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These teams find out if each victimis safe and if not, offer to take him/her to a shelter. Our advocates go onto provide the victim with informationabout the services available, such as theTexas 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 of family membersand close friends, so that later onwe have alternative ways of reachingthe victim. They also obtain a recordsrelease form if the victim receivedmedical treatment, take photographsof any visible injuries that have developedsince the police took pictures, andcollect any evidence that might havebeen overlooked or unavailable duringthe initial investigation.Once all of 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 teamof prosecutors, investigators, victim advocates,law enforcement liaisons, militarypersonnel, and local mental healthproviders. We collect a number of importantdata points as we go, to help uskeep track of trends in family violenceso that we can remain proactive insteadof 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 of 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 office 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 off tremendously.The Office of the Governorrecently sponsored a study of our programby the Institute on Domestic Violenceand Sexual Assault at the Universityof Texas at Austin, School of 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 of 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 whichoffenders will be held accountable fortheir crimes of violence. The programhas altered legal practices by criminaljustice professionals—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 of the program.4. The prosecution of family violencehas been significantly enhancedthrough the collection of better evidence,an increase in evidence gathering,improved preparation of case files,and an increase in preparedness andeffectiveness of ADAs for trial.5. Victims and professionals in thecriminal justice system reported arange of mixed reactions to the districtattorney’s stance on victimless prosecution.Some favored having the burdenof responsibility placed on ADAs, whilea minority of victims expressed frustrationwith diminished control over decision-makingregarding the prosecutionof offenders.The above is from pages eight andnine of 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 offenders accountable can be usedjust as effectively throughout Texas.continued on page 54 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2012| THE VICTIM’S INFORMER
We’re proud of 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 often, 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 of a case; we make the victim apriority in every decision we make andaction we take. That is our mandate andthe challenge we offer up to everyonewho cares about making a difference inthe lives of Texas victims.Texas Victim Assistance Training OnlineT V A TThe Texas Department of Criminal JusticeVictim Services Division and keyStakeholders are excited to launch theTexas Victim Assistance Training (TVAT)Online!An experiential format for learning aimed at new victim services professionals in TexasThrough a grant award from the Office of the Governor, Criminal Justice Division, and assistance from key stakeholders, the TexasDepartment of Criminal Justice - Victim Services Division, is now offering web-based training focused on victim-centered servicedelivery and professional development that complements other victim services initiatives and enables new advocates to acquirebaseline professional skills and competence.Completion of the training will provide victim services professionals with the necessary tools for providing consistent andappropriate services to crime victims, working collaboratively with partner agencies serving victims, and providing a model ofprofessionalism for victim services practitioners who serve our community and enhance our quality of 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
Page 3: within the context of military life
Page 7 and 8: New Agency Announcement!By Jim Hurl

Victim's Informer Newsletter - Texas Department of Criminal Justice

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