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VICTIMS OF CRIME ACT VICTIM ASSISTANCE GRANT PROGRAM 2002 NEW JERSEY STATE WIDE ASSISTANCE REPORT Prepared By: New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice - Department of Law & Public Safety 25 Market Street CN 085 Trenton, NJ 08625-0000 tel: (609)588-4535
STATE FUNDING INFORMATION
A. THE ANNUAL AMOUNT ALLOCATED TO THE VICTIM ASSISTANCE PROJECTS: 1. Appropriations $ 0 2. Criminal Fines and Penalities $ 0 3. Assessments $ 0 4. Other $ 0 TOTAL:$ 0
B. TOTAL NUMBER OF AGENCIES FUNDED FROM THE FEDERAL GRANT: 126
C. NUMBER OF SUBGRANTS FUNDED FROM THIS FEDERAL GRANT: 146
VICTIM STATISTICS
A. THE NUMBER OF VICTIMS SERVED BY TYPE OF VICTIMIZATION:
NO. OF NO. OF VICTIMS SERVED VICTIMS SERVED 1,688 1. Child Physical Abuse 1,089 7. Adults Molested as Children 4,128 2. Child Sexual Abuse 4,095 8. Survivors of Homicide Victims 1,171 3. DUI/DWI Crashes 3,933 9. Robbery 45,986 4. Domestic Violence 7,992 10. Assualt 3,754 5. Adult Sexual Assault 18,779 11. Other 429 6. Elder Abuse TOTAL: 93,044
B. THE NUMBER OF VICTIMS WHO RECEIVED THE FOLLOWING SERVICES:
NO. OF VICTIMS SERVED 37,686 1. Crisis Counseling 34,622 2. Followup 5,347 3. Therapy 5,539 4. Group Treatment/Support 1,978 5. Shelter/Safehouse 41,786 6. Information/Referral (in-person) 65,790 7. Criminal Justice Support/Advocacy 2,949 8. Emergency Financial Assistance 15,128 9. Emergency Legal Advocacy 16,755 10. Assistance in filing Compensation Claims 31,233 11. Personal Advocacy 92,215 12. Telephone contact Informational/Referral 107,543 13. Other TOTAL: 458,571
A. EFFORTS TO PROMOTE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE AID TO CRIME VICTIMS: Coordination of services to crime victims has been an ongoing effort in New Jersey. Perhaps one of the largest efforts was the result of September 11, 2001 which brought together numerous agencies from within and outside of the State to provide victim services to those affected by the disaster. The Family Assistance Center established on September 19th remained open until May 2002. Over 4,700 families received services and the staff from the agencies remained until the closing, Once the Center was closed, those affected continue to receive services through the county victim-witness offices and nonprofit agencies. The NJ Governor's Office on Recovery and Victim Assistance remains operational. Although the events of September 11, 2001 brought together numerous agencies on a large scale, other projects have provided the opportunities for agencies to work together to enhance services to victims of crime. The Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) program and the Sexual Assault Response Teams have brought together law enforcement, service providers, SANEs, and state agencies in order to provide victims of sexual assault with the best possible services to ensure that they are not revictimized. Standardization of the rape kits, protocols for response to victims and trained SANEs have enabled the State to have all agencies which are in contact with sexual assault victims to treat the victims with respect and dignity. The Division of State Police serves as the police response to many rural jurisdictions in New Jersey and has partnered with service provider agencies in rural communities in order to be able to refer victims immediately for services, particularly in domestic violence situations. There is also State legislation that mandates each municipality to have a domestic violence response team and although the lead agency for grant purposes (funding from the Violence Against Women. Formula Grant Program) is the local law enforcement agency or the Prosecutor's Office, they must have an affiliation with the designated domestic service provider in the county. The service provider provides the training for the team volunteers and the oversight of the team as they respond to domestic violence victims. Efforts continue with many of the nonprofit agencies that are funded under the VOCA grant. These agencies receive referrals from the victim-witness staff in the county prosecutors' offices and many of them provide outreach into communities in order to provide services to victims. They also provide hotline services and have staff that are bilingual in order to serve the non-English speaking victims in their communities.
B. EFFORTS TAKEN TO SERVE FEDERAL CRIME VICTIMS: There is a Federal Victim-Witness Coordinator located in Newark, NJ. Federal crime victims are usually referred to this Coordinator who may reach out to one of the county coordinators for assistance. The county coordinators provide any assistance that is requested and also assist in referring the victims to other appropriate direct service providers, e.g., domestic violence shelters, counseling programs) etc.
C. ACTIVITIES TO IMPROVE THE DELIVERY OF VICTIM SERVICES: Program monitoring for all subgrantees is provided by the staff of the State Office of Victim-Witness Advocacy. This includes quarterly narrative and financial reports from the agencies and site visits of the programs. Each agency is also required to include an evaluation plan as a part of their subgrant application in order to determine whether they have met their project goals and objectives. Program analysts work with their respective agencies throughout the year in order to assist them as needed. Training for victim advocates, service providers, law enforcement and prosecutors continues to be an important part of the programs provided through the State Office of Victim-Witness Advocacy and the Division of Criminal Justice. During the past year, training funds were used to train volunteers in crisis response and intervention as the need for individuals to staff the Family Assistance Center increased once the teams from NOVA were no longer at the Center. Over 2,000 volunteers were trained. Many individuals and agencies also became aware of the need for crisis response training in light of the possibility of future acts of terrorism. Victim-witness staff in the county offices are given the opportunity to attend national conferences such as NOVA and many of the statewide programs held during the year. As a part of the quarterly meetings held for the victim coordinators, there was included an afternoon training on various topics such as victim restitution from the Department of Corrections; Cyberstalking; legislation; grants management, etc. Training for SANE coordinators and for the Assistant Prosecutors who are responsible for the sex crime units gave an opportunity for them to become familiar with the SANE program and how the forensic examinations are an important aspect of their prosecution of cases. The specialized colposcope equipment was also demonstrated for them so that they could understand its use and its value in the examination. The Statewide Violence Against Women Conference (funded by the VAWA Formula Grant Program) provide victim service providers, law enforcement, prosecutors, judiciary personnel the opportunity to hear national experts on topics relating to domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking. Workshops enabled participants to hear presenters on sexual assault investigations; police and advocates working together; providing services to victims of sexual assault who have developmental disabilities and other topics on violence against women. Over 400 participants attended the three-day conference. VOCA Training funds were used to hold a training for members of the statewide search and rescue team. Since this group had not received any type of debriefing nor information on ways to cope with the events of September 11, 2001, this training gave them the opportunity to their experts who provided ways for them to deal with their feelings and how to deal with others. It also provided an opportunity for them to realize that there was assistance for them through peer support or one-on-one counseling. Approved VOCA training funds were used to hold the Missing Persons and Child Exploitation Seminar for approximately 120 individuals including law enforcement, victim-witness coordinators and State Office of Victim-Witness Advocacy staff. The planning for this seminar was conducted during October 1, 2001 - September 30, 2002 with the actual seminar in December 2002. Details of the seminar will be included in next year's Performance Report.
D. WAYS VOCA FUNDS HAVE BEEN USED TO ASSIST CRIME VICTIMS: An Accomplishment To experience something so traumatic And life changing Without giving up on yourself Is an amazing accomplishment To be able to put into words All your fears and worries And your faith in recovering Is a miraculous accomplishment To speak those written words To help not only you But also the voices still silenced by fear Is an astounding accomplishment To face your worst fears And cope with all the emotions everyday That were caused by that traumatic experience Is a remarkable accomplishment To still love yourself And love others despite the Hateful and cruel ways someone treated you Is an unparalleled accomplishment To be here today And live despite the Tumultuous road you've traveled Is an accomplishment in itself. You are an accomplishment. Never forget where you came from and never forget that you are still here today to make things better and to love yourself despite the hardships. You are a work in progress and don't let others tell you any differently. Value yourself and love yourself even if others don't. But, never feel that you are alone. There are people out there that can help you if it is too much to face alone. Life is beautiful. and so are you. You are an accomplishment. Dedicated to April 12th 2001. May I learn to forgive what happened that day and let it become a part of me, but never get the best of me. Lift is too precious to waste it hating and regretting, I cannot change the past, but I know I have a bright future. What doesn't kill me will only make me stronger. Thank you note from victim. Additional poem. The State Office of Victim-Witness Advocacy provides funding to a number of nonprofit agencies which provide services to victims of crime. These services range from legal advocacy, domestic violence services, child sexual abuse, etc. The following are brief descriptions of such agencies with anecdotal comments from the victims. The YWCA of Bergen County Rape Crisis Center offers a 24 hour hotline for victims of sexual abuse/assault as well as for their families and friends. The Center provides crisis' intervention counseling, information/referral, accompaniment to hospitals and legal proceedings, support groups, outreach and community education. Support is available whether the assault occurred several hours or many years ago. Victims who received services through the YWCA of Bergen wrote: "I want to thank you for your caring and emotional support. I truly appreciate everything you did for me and my mother. If you ever need me to tell my story to others who have gone through what I've gone through, please let me know. And once again thank you for everything because you were truly there when I needed help." "It has been almost a year since the rape... I am not really over what happened but I feel I have coped (and am still coping) fairly well, I don't really have 'bad days" (as I like to call them) anymore. I also know that I can't put my life on hold to be angry about what happened. Some people may see me as a victim but I can't see, myself any other way but as a survivor. You were always good with encouragement. Thank you again for all that you have done for me. I am forever grateful to you and your organization." (A poem written by her is attached.) Children for Children's Support (University of Medical and Dental of NJ) provides medical and psychological services for alleged victims of child sexual abuse and their non-offending parents. Sensitive diagnostic and therapeutic services conducted while minimizing the stress that the victims experience during investigative and prosecution proceedings. A multi-disciplinary approach is utilized while cooperatively working with local law enforcement. Individual and group therapy conducted, as well as, medical and mental health evaluations. The Center provides training on child sexual abuse to doctors, mental health professionals, and social workers. Outreach services are offered in rural areas for children who have suffered from sexual abuse and other violent crimes This program was a part of the site visit during the OVC/NJ Program Manager's visit in September. A letter from the mother of a victim was included Babyland Family Services, Inc. provides legal advocacy, mental health counseling and crisis intervention for domestic violence victims. The Domestic Violence Program offers a 24 hour, 7 days per week. shelter for up to 20 families at a time. There is also a 24 hour hotline for crisis response and a satellite office for those women seeking outpatient counseling services. A victim from Babyland, "I will always remember the kindness, the, emotional support. Mostly, their (sic) was always a shoulder to cry on, as well as, the laughter after a troubling day. Now it's anew beginning and I thank you for helping me to get started toward the healing process. I will always remember all of you and will forever love you all." Full text below. END DWI provides comprehensive services to victims of drunk driving tragedies, their families, friends and significant others. Victims are helped through emotional. health:, financial and legal assistance. Support is given at the time of the incident and throughout the person's life whenever needed. A victim from END DWI: " You came to us, at our lowest hour, when our entire world was collapsing around us. You gave us the re-assurance and strength that we needed to overcome the terrible blow fate had dealt us. Without your continuous love and support, justice would never have been achieved!" CONTACT provides 24 hour telephone helpline services staffed by trained volunteers to individuals primarily in Burlington County, New Jersey. Specialized counseling is conducted during the crisis period and referrals to ongoing therapy are available free of charge. Sexual assault victims and their families are assisted through individual and/or family counseling and support groups to help them achieve emotional well being. They also provide outreach to schools for the purpose of providing information and resources to victims of sexual assault. This program was a part of the site visit by the NJ/OVC Program Manager in September, 2002. From students who heard a. presentation from a rape care counselor at Contact: "One of my friends got raped and when she talked about it I did not know how to respond. I see it as it will never happen to me or anyone I know. Now I think I realize (sic) it could happen to anyone and I should be more cautious of my surroundings. Thank you for the talk you changed my whole perspective (sic) on rape." "I've had a bad experience w/drinking and a guy. I'm not sure what happen (.5ic) really. I don't know (sic) if I said yes or even if I said no! I had passed out that night and was found by a friend. I knew he did something when I woke the next day but I didn't know who did it, were (sic) it took place or who to go to about it. I really wish I knew about you. I really could of used your help. However, at lest(sic) I know now!" St. Francis Counseling Service offers ongoing therapeutic services to victims of sexual assault/abuse and their significant others. The Center is a community focal point offering a wide range of services and programs with the majority of services provided to low income residents. Free ongoing professional therapy for sexual assault is conducted, along with 24 hour crisis intervention by telephone or through accompaniment to hospitals and police departments. Community education is provided on sexual abuse and rape. From participant evaluations of St. Francis Counseling Service: "It helped me with my situation as well as me, personally. I feel that I can move on." "The other people in the group helped to realize I'm not the only one with a problem like this." "Letting it help me and learn how to handle what 17m going through."
E. ISSUES OR TRENDS IMPACTING CRIME VICTIM SERVICES: Several of the major cities are experiencing significant problems with gang violence. Many of the victims are afraid to come forward for fear of retaliation against them or their families or of being killed. The need to relocate these victims is difficult due to the lack of funding needed to support their relocation, e.g., housing, moving expenses, security, etc., all of which are unallowable under the VOCA grant program. Because of their fears, the victims are reluctant to work with the prosecutors' offices and therefore, many cases never proceed. This has become a major problem for many of the victim-witness coordinators who are most willing to assist these victims in relocating but do not have the resources to do so. A second area for consideration and discussion is the municipal court cases. Many times the victims are not sure of the services that may be available to them and therefore, work has begun to provide coordination between the police departments and the service providers in order to ensure that services for the victims in municipal court cases are aware of the services that can be provided to assist them. New Jersey continues to move forward in developing long-range plans for those impacted by September 11, 2001. There is now an Office of Counter-Terrorism and a Domestic Preparedness Task Force and these agencies work to ensure that should a disaster of this magnitude occur again, then there are plans in place in order to meet the needs of all those involved.
F. USE OF VOCA ADMINISTRATIVE FUNDS: The VOCA Administrative Funds have enabled the State Office of Victim-Witness Advocacy to provide the staff necessary to oversee the twenty-one county Offices of Victim-Witness Advocacy; to work with and monitor all of the subgrantee agencies; to work with other state agencies to develop initiatives that ensure services to crime victims; and to work with national agencies on victim related issues. Without the ability to use administrative funds, it would be difficult to carry out a program of our scope and these funds are supplemented with the State Victim-Witness Advocacy Fund which enables our involvement in victim services. These funds also were instrumental in providing additional resources for the staff of the State Office during the months following September 11, 2001.