Overall, there are few difficulties in assisting victims with filing for victim compensation benefits.  However, challenges are reported in assisting victims of other dialects in understanding and completing the forms.  Although interpretation services are utilized in these instances, it results in lengthy response times.  Additionally, with the current immigration policy, this victim population is afraid to file victim compensation claims for fear of deportation.


 


Victim service agencies find that for some victims, the task of applying for compensation benefits is daunting and overwhelming in the face of recovering from a crime and that the reimbursement procedure is felt as "too little, too late" and would prefer help with the costs up-front.  





One agency reports that a barrier they encounter is domestic violence victims being wrongfully arrested on charges of domestic violence, making them ineligible for compensation benefits.  

As an eligibility requirement, VOCA funded agencies actively participate in coordinated efforts in their communities.  Service providers are involved in task forces, multi-disciplinary meetings, efforts to promote annual victims' rights events, and training to educate local agencies and other providers about their services.  Through concerted efforts by private and public entities working together, crime victims are less likely to fall through the cracks and are more willing to work with law enforcement and prosecutor's offices.  Some examples of these efforts include:  





Advocacy Centers assist victims through a multi-disciplinary approach, integrating the services of critical community partners such as police, criminal justice, medical, child protective services, mental health and advocacy services.  This one-stop team approach helps reduce the stress and anxiety that can be experienced by the victim and their family. 





The Arizona Attorney General's Office, through a joint effort with the Arizona Criminal Justice Commission and the Arizona Department of Public Safety, provides training on victims' rights to employees of public and private agencies throughout the state, ensuring a better understanding of victims' rights issues they may face when working with victims.





The Arizona Department of Corrections coordinates with public and private agencies through a Restorative Justice Program, which includes offender fundraising projects designed to aid victim programs.  Examples of these coordinated efforts include the building and assembly of playground equipment for a local advocacy center and fundraising programs for various crisis centers, domestic violence shelters, and crime survivor support groups.  





One obstacle identified by this agency is the lack of understanding and communication between agencies.  For example, the state maintains a separate computer information system than the various counties.  If a victim needs to change their notification address, they are required to contact as many as four different agencies to do so, which can be problematic with an increased likelihood that something will be overlooked. 





Several non-profit domestic violence organizations collaborate with court systems by housing advocates in the court to assist with protective orders, educate victims about the criminal justice system, and provide court accompaniment and support, safety planning, and information and referral to ensure victims' needs are met.  





A sexual assault program provides training to professionals within the community to teach signs and symptoms of sexual assault and domestic violence, and procedures of accurate assessments when they encounter crime victims. Therapists have presented to medical students at the Southwest School of Naturopathic Medicine to provide these future physicians tools needed to accurately detect signs and symptoms of rape, sexual assault, and domestic violence.  





This program reports that difficulty is encountered in coordinating services due to lack of available resources and an increase in "wait lists" to receive services.  Victim Services in urban and rural communities have experienced staff reductions and limited funding, decreasing accessibility to advocacy and support services to victims.  

There are many tribal organizations in Arizona, and VOCA funded agencies provide services to tribal members and conduct outreach to inform Indian tribes of services available to them.  





Childhelp's Mobile Advocacy Center provides advocacy to child victims from the Navajo, Hopi, White Mountain Apache, and Hualapai Tribes, as well as child crime victims from the Grand Canyon National Park.  





Many Arizona domestic violence and child abuse programs offer services to Native American victims and some agencies have formal agreements in place with Tribal organizations to provide these services.   


  


Examples of training and education efforts by VOCA-funded agencies aimed at improving the Native American response to crime victims on reservation land include:





Colorado River Regional Crisis Shelter is currently working with the Colorado River Tribes (CRIT) in the development of a domestic violence code.  





The Yuma County Family Advocacy Center assisted new tribal officers by teaching protocols for child abuse investigations.  





Arizona's Children Association provides training for the tribal social services staff regarding sexual abuse and trauma.





EMPACT, a sexual assault program, provided training to Arizona's Native American tribes on sexual violence.  The training focused on educating youth and youth serving professionals about sexual assault, the facts and myths about sexual assault, victim empathy and intervention strategies. Due to the success of this project, an ongoing partnership with the Hualapai tribe has been developed to provide additional training and education relating to interpersonal violence.                   





Services to other federal victims: 





Victims of human trafficking were assisted by the Mesa Police Department Victim Services during an FBI investigation.  





The Phoenix Fire Department Crisis Response Team responds a large number of Hispanics who are victims of human trafficking.





The Chandler Police Department Victim Services unit provided liaison and advocacy services to victims in a serial sexual assault case, which involved the FBI and International Jurisdiction.

Arizona VOCA funded agencies are required to elicit feedback from victims through the use of surveys to measure outcome and quality data.  Survey results are used to determine effectiveness of services provided; make program changes; and monitor for trends in data to evaluate the need for program improvements.  





The Mohave County Attorney's Office reported that after meeting with local public and private agencies for program evaluation, it was determined that not everyone working in the criminal justice system understands the requirements for a victim to obtain an order of protection versus an injunction against harassment.  As a result, a training course is being developed for individuals working in the criminal justice system.  In addition, the Mohave County Attorney's Office arranged training for all Child Protective Services employees concerning the criminal justice system and what it takes to successfully prosecute a case and other prosecution processes.  





A rural domestic violence program has implemented weekly peer review sessions where victims give feedback to other victims and learn to mentor each other.  This is proving to be an outstanding process and very empowering for the victims.  





A number of Arizona VOCA funded programs have implemented Quality Assurance Programs which include monitoring various aspects of service delivery, utilization of best practices, ensuring compliance with standards, and ongoing monitoring of documentation issues. 





VOCA funded programs provide training to a variety of local and statewide professionals who provide services to victims, and also attend local and statewide trainings to enhance their knowledge and understanding of victim services.  For example, as a result of the increased awareness on human trafficking, several Arizona victim service agencies received training on human trafficking and providing services to these victims.  This training assisted service providers in identifying victims of human trafficking, and also promoted an understanding that these victims, labeled as illegal immigrants, are in the United States as a result of a crime.  





One sexual assault program providing services in Central and Northern Arizona has worked to improve the delivery of victim services by building upon their Master's level internship program through relationships with many Arizona colleges.  Master's level Social Work and Counseling students obtain training and supervision needed to complete their program, receive intensive and ongoing training, and weekly individual and group supervision. The victim services staff serves as mentors by sharing knowledge, skills, information, and perspectives to foster the personal and professional growth of interns. In exchange, five to six interns provide the program with volunteer hours and increased services for victims. This past year, five interns completed their internships with this program. This internship program has increased the quality of training available to these students, has built a beneficial reputation in the academic community, and has benefited victims.  





The Annual Arizona Victim Assistance Academy (AVAA) was held in Flagstaff, Arizona, in June 2008.  Northern Arizona University (NAU) is the academic partner for the AVAA and field instructors create an academic but practical curriculum that participants can apply directly to their jobs.  The goal of this week long training is to improve the consistency and quality of services offered to crime victims by providing comprehensive, academically based, fundamental education to crime victim advocates statewide. The AVAA focuses on Arizona's diverse and underserved populations, including the largely rural and tribal communities. These groups, and all victims of crime in Arizona, benefit from the AVAA.  This year, 46 participants completed the Academy.  

The case State v. Ryan Herndon involved theft with an economic loss totaling more than $2 million and 516 victims, many of whom are senior citizens.  The defendant preyed upon elderly people by promising they would receive a considerable return on their investment, but instead used the money for his own personal gain.  Due to the large volume of victims in this case, the advocate was integral in the court process.  At the sentencing hearing, nearly 20 people appeared and gave impact statements explaining the devastating affect of this crime.  Many required emotional support prior to and after speaking to the court.   





A woman living in a polygamist marriage was being physically and emotionally abused by her husband and the husband's other wives.  The woman's adult children requested assistance because their mother was terrified to leave but also believed that she would be in more danger if she stayed.  Frightened for her safety, the mother finally decided to leave.  She was secretly picked up and taken to another town.  Assistance was provided in obtaining Orders of protection for the mother and all the adult children.  The Orders of protection were served on the husband and sister-wives of the husband.  The children are caring for their mother, who is doing well and learning to enjoy life again.  





A female in her twenties was the victim of sexual assault while attending a party at a co-workers home.  While staying the night at the party residence, she awoke while being sexually assaulted by a coworker.  As a result of this incident, the victim experienced hyper-vigilance, exaggerated startled reflex, oversleeping, panic, and anger.  She began to have intrusive thoughts and poor self image. Due to all these factors and fear of her assailant, she could not return to work and began to suffer financial problems and relationship issues with her significant other.  Through therapy, she began to change her thought processes.  She addressed her feelings and began to move forward, pursuing new career goals.  She has improved her relationship with her partner, has improved coping skills and has regained momentum in her life.





A timid and fearful woman of Chinese descent, speaking only Cantonese, appeared at the court house looking for assistance.  Because court staff could not communicate with her, she was referred to the court advocate.  Through use of the OMNI language line the advocate discovered the woman was in need of assistance in obtaining a protective order against her abusive husband.  The court was notified that a court appointed translator was needed during the hearing. The advocate accompanied the woman to the hearing for support and encouragement. The order was granted and the woman was able to walk out of court feeling safer and with her head held high.  





A 9 year old female was referred for a forensic interview and medical exam. The suspect was an extended family member who lived in the same apartment complex as the victim. The family is Spanish speaking and a Spanish speaking advocate translated for law enforcement and provided advocacy for the family. The mother was very upset and concerned that the suspect was a physical threat to the family, as well as a flight risk. Through coordination with the County Victim Witness office, a Spanish speaking advocate was assigned to follow the family through the court process. The family received assistance in applying for victim's compensation and referrals to crisis therapy, which they were able to obtain in a timely manner. The suspect was arrested and remains in jail. This family is a good example of the benefits of bi-lingual collaborative services. The family will continue to receive advocacy services through the Advocacy Center and Victim Witness.





A double homicide involved a young woman and her fianc? who had been found shot to death.  The woman's body was found in a store parking lot and the man's body was found at his home.  A bilingual advocate assisted the woman's family who are monolingual Spanish speaking.  The advocate assisted the family in completing the Crime Victims compensation forms, and assisted with a burial plot.  The advocate contacted the medical examiners office and informed the family of the medical examiners process, autopsy, and release of the body.  The man's family was provided similar services by a volunteer advocate.  Soon after the funerals, a suspect was arrested at the Mexican port of entry.  The victim services program continues to provide support and advocacy services to both families.  

Arizona has been hit hard with the downturn in the economy which has had a serious impact on victim services in the state.





Domestic violence victims report they would rather stay in an abusive environment knowing they have housing and at least one income.  





In rural Arizona, housing and employment is particularly scarce.  Some households have additional family members living under the same roof, causing increased tension within the shared living space and increased violence among the family members. 





Downturns in the housing market and high gas prices have caused a negative ripple effect on families already under financial stress.





The economic downturn has limited the availability of resources and agencies offering services.  





Because of Arizona's close proximity to the US/Mexico border, immigration issues are faced by VOCA funded agencies.  These issues are exacerbated by recently passed immigration laws and, as a result, immigrant victims of crime are reluctant to seek services due to fear of deportation.  





A number of agencies report they are working with local law enforcement, crime labs, county attorneys offices, and medical personnel to address and implement a system to meet the VAWA requirement that all states must provide forensic exams to victims of sexual assault free of charge, regardless of whether or not they participate in prosecution.  

In 2007/2008, the Arizona Department of Public Safety utilized VOCA Assistance administrative funds to strengthen and enhance Arizona's VOCA program and to improve services across the state as follows:  





Funds were used to support salary and benefits for 3.5 full-time VOCA grant coordinators.  DPS-VOCA staff conduct site inspections, provide technical assistance to grantees, and monitor project performance throughout the year to ensure compliance with state and federal guidelines.  Site Inspections include a review of each program's management functions, inventory of services provided, examination of the delivery of services, evaluation of fiscal services, and review of daily duties.  Regular site inspections help to identify agencies that may need technical assistance, and innovative approaches that can be shared.  Subrecipients are asked to complete an on-line evaluation following the site inspection to provide DPS with feedback on the usefulness and quality of the inspection process.  


 


DPS-VOCA Grant Coordinators participate on statewide committees and task forces, such as the State Agencies Coordinating Team (SACT), the Maricopa County Association of Governments (MAG), Arizona Coalition for Victims Services (ACVS), and the Arizona Child and Family Advocacy Network (ACFAN).  Participation on these and other committees assist staff in keeping abreast of issues impacting victims, in coordinating services to crime victims, and in identifying the most effective ways to address challenges experienced by victim services agencies.





Administrative funds were utilized to enhance and maintain the Web-Based Automated Grants System (WAGS), which was implemented in early 2004.   Assistance staff and sub-recipient agencies have seen a multitude of changes over this five year period, moving from a paper intensive process to an almost paperless grant application and monitoring system.  WAGS now includes an on-line grant application, evaluation and award process; monthly, quarterly and annual reporting, as required; on-line site visit documentation and evaluation; and on-line completion of the annual statewide survey administered by the state assistance office to evaluate availability of services, gaps in services, and underserved populations. 





The DPS-VOCA Quarterly Newsletter, which was redesigned in December 2007, is made available on-line to subrecipient agencies through WAGS.  It includes activities conducted by the state assistance office, helpful hints, victim service resources, training opportunities, upcoming events, and other victim service information.