AILEEN ADAMS' REMARKS
TO
THE INDIANA VICTIM ASSISTANCE NETWORK ANNUAL CONFERENCE
MARCH 2, 1995
IT IS INDEED A PLEASURE TO BE ABLE TO ATTEND YOUR AWARDS CEREMONY THIS EVENING. I KNOW THAT AMY HESS-SMITH, CAROLE MORRIS AND ALL OF THE DEDICATED MEMBERS OF THE IVAN BOARD OF DIRECTORS HAVE WORKED TIRELESSLY TO MAKE THIS REGIONAL CONFERENCE SUCH A SUCCESS. I'D LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND THANK THEM AND TO SAY HOW VERY PLEASED OVC IS TO HAVE PROVIDED FUNDING FOR THIS FIVE-STATE REGIONAL MEETING. I ALSO WANT TO RECOGNIZE PAMELA CARTER, FOR HER VISIONARY WORK AS INDIANA'S ATTORNEY GENERAL, AND FOR HER MANY CONTRIBUTIONS TO THIS EVENT.
SINCE THIS EVENING IS A CELEBRATION OF INDIVIDUALS WHOSE COMMITMENT AND DEDICATION HAS MADE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF COUNTLESS VICTIMS OF CRIME, I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO RECOGNIZE IN ABSENTIA THE MANY CRIME VICTIMS AROUND THE COUNTRY WHO ARE AMONG OUR COUNTRY'S MOST EFFECTIVE VOICES AGAINST CRIME. WE THINK OF CANDY LIGHTNER, WHOSE 13-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER CARA WAS KILLED BY A DRUNK DRIVER AND THE OTHER FOUNDERS OF MOTHERS AGAINST DRUNK DRIVING, WHO TAUGHT AMERICA THAT A LOADED DRIVER COULD BE JUST AS DEADLY AS A LOADED GUN. LARGELY THROUGH MADD'S EFFORTS THERE HAS BEEN A 31 PERCENT DECREASE IN ALCOHOL-RELATED FATALITIES IN THE LAST 10 YEARS.
WE THINK OF JOHN WALSH, WHO EFFECTIVELY LOBBIED CONGRESS TO ESTABLISH THE CENTER FOR MISSING AND EXPLOITED CHILDREN AFTER HIS SIX-YEAR-OLD SON ADAM WAS KIDNAPED FROM A LOCAL STORE AND BRUTALLY KILLED. WE THINK OF CONNIE AND HOWARD CLERY, WHOSE DAUGHTER WAS MURDERED IN HER DORM ROOM AT LEHEIGH UNIVERSITY IN PENNSYLVANIA. THEIR ACTIVISM LED TO THE ENACTMENT OF THE FEDERAL CAMPUS SECURITY ACT THAT REQUIRES COLLEGES TO PUBLISH THEIR CRIME STATISTICS.
THERE ARE SO MANY OTHER HEROS IN OUR MOVEMENT. FOR OVC AND FOR ALL VICTIM ADVOCATES THESE AND OTHER COUNTLESS OTHER CRIME VICTIMS ARE OUR TEACHERS AND OUR INSPIRATION. THEY ARE AT THE HEART OF EVERYTHING WE DO.
I WANT TO TALK WITH YOU THIS EVENING ABOUT MY AGENCY, THE OFFICE FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME, WHICH WE FONDLY REFER TO AS OVC, AND THE WAYS IN WHICH OUR RESOURCES CAN BENEFIT LOCAL COMMUNITIES. I ALSO WANT TO DISCUSS SOME OF THE INNOVATIVE PRACTICES THAT ARE BEING USED AROUND THE COUNTRY, TO ASSIST CRIME VICTIMS AND PROPOSE SOME NEW DIRECTIONS FOR THE VICTIMS MOVEMENT IN THE FUTURE, WHICH I HOPE YOU WILL CONSIDER.
OVC WAS ESTABLISHED BY THE 1984 VICTIMS OF CRIME ACT TO ADMINISTER THE CRIME VICTIMS FUND AND PROVIDE TRAINING ABOUT THE NEEDS AND RIGHTS OF OUR NATION'S CRIME VICTIMS. THE CRIME VICTIMS FUND -- COMES NOT FROM TAX DOLLARS -- BUT FROM FINES LEVELED AGAINST FEDERAL CRIMINAL OFFENDERS. MORE THAN 90 PERCENT OF THE MONEY, WHICH AMOUNTED TO $185 MILLION IN 1994, IS DISTRIBUTED TO STATES TO HELP FUND THEIR VICTIM ASSISTANCE AND COMPENSATION PROGRAMS.
VOCA VICTIM ASSISTANCE FUNDS SUPPORT MORE THAN 2,500 LOCAL VICTIM SERVICE AGENCIES, INCLUDING FAMILY SHELTERS, RAPE CRISIS CENTERS, AND CHILD ADVOCACY PROGRAMS ACROSS THE COUNTRY. THE CRIME VICTIMS FUND GENERALLY PAYS FOR 40 PERCENT OF ALL STATE COMPENSATION COSTS.
I AM PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT THIS YEAR THE STATE OF INDIANA WILL RECEIVE CLOSE TO $1,700,000 IN VICTIM ASSISTANCE GRANT FUNDS, AND $416,000 IN VICTIM COMPENSATION FUNDS, WHICH WILL BE AWARDED TO THE INDIANA CRIMINAL JUSTICE INSTITUTE.
OVC SPENDS A SMALL PORTION OF THE CRIME VICTIMS FUND, APPROXIMATELY THREE PERCENT, TO PROVIDE FUNDS FOR TRAINING AND INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS. OUR TRAINING COURSES REACH THE DIVERSE PROFESSIONALS WHO DEAL WITH CRIME VICTIMS, INCLUDING SOME 70 DIFFERENT FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, SUCH AS THE FBI, DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, AND THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE.
OVC HAS AT LEAST FOUR RESOURCES THAT WE HOE YOU WILL USE TO BENEFIT CRIME VICTIMS. FIRST, WE HAVE A TRAINERS BUREAU THAT IS AVAILABLE TO YOU. IF YOU ARE HOLDING A CONFERENCE IN YOUR COMMUNITY OR NEED SPECIAL TRAINING BY AN EXPERT IN ANY FIELD, YOU CAN APPLY TO OUR TRAINERS BUREAU TO PAY FOR CONSULTANT FEES AND TRAVEL EXPENSES FOR A NATIONAL EXPERT. THE PURPOSE OF THE TRAINERS BUREAU IS TO MAKE IT POSSIBLE FOR COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY TO HAVE ACCESS TO THE BEST PEOPLE IN THE FIELD FOR TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE NEEDS. I URGE YOU TO USE THIS IMPORTANT RESOURCES.
OVC ALSO FUNDS CRISIS RESPONSE SERVICES FOR COMMUNITIES TRAUMATIZED BY MULTIPLE CRIMES. FOR EXAMPLE, WE FUNDED THE CRISIS RESPONSE TEAM ORGANIZED BY NOVA THAT RESPONDED TO A CHICAGO HOUSING AUTHORITY DEVELOPMENT AFTER A GANG WAR KILLED 13 PEOPLE IN ONE WEEKEND. SEVERAL WEEKS AGO, WE FUNDED ANOTHER TEAM WHICH WAS ORGANIZED BY MOTHERS AGAINST DRUNK DRIVING AND WAS COMPRISED OF NATIVE AMERICAN EXPERTS TO RESPOND TO AN EIGHT-FATALITY DRUNK DRIVING CRASH ON NAVAJO LANDS.
THIS OVC PROGRAM IS CALLED IMMEDIATE RESPONSE TO EMERGING PROBLEMS, IREP. IT COULD BE USED TO ASSIST COMMUNITIES IN THEIR RESPONSE TO MASSIVE CHILD ABUSE CASES, MASS MURDERS, AND OTHER CATASTROPHIC CRIMES. I HOPE YOU NEVER HAVE TO USE IT, BUT IT IS AVAILABLE IF YOUR COMMUNITY NEEDS IT.
OVC ALSO MAINTAINS A RESOURCE CENTER, WHICH RESPONDS TO THOUSANDS OF CALLERS, VIA AN 800-NUMBER, AND PROVIDES EXTENSIVE INFORMATION ABOUT A RANGE OF VICTIMS ISSUES. IF YOU NEED INFORMATION REGARDING INNOVATIVE PRACTICES, STATISTICS, OR LAWS, THIS RESOURCE IS ALSO AVAILABLE TO YOU. THE NUMBER IS 1-800-627-6872.
LAST WEEK, AN OVC-FUNDED RESOURCE GUIDE WRITTEN BY THE VICTIMS ASSISTANCE LEGAL ORGANIZATION WAS SENT TO COMMUNITIES AROUND THE COUNTRY TO HELP THEM COMMEMORATE NATIONAL CRIME VICTIMS RIGHTS WEEK, WHICH WILL BE HELD DURING THE LAST WEEK OF APRIL. THE GUIDE CONTAINS MANY MATERIALS AND SUGGESTIONS, INCLUDING FACT SHEETS, PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS, SAMPLE SPEECHES, SERMONS, AND CAMERA-READY POSTER ART. IT IS A VALUABLE TOOL IN HELPING TO HONOR AND PUBLICIZE THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE VICTIMS MOVEMENT AND TO ENCOURAGE WORK FOR NEEDED CHANGES. IF YOU HAVEN'T RECEIVED ONE IN THE MAIL, IT IS AVAILABLE THROUGH OUR OFFICE.
ONE OF OVC'S MOST EXCITING CURRENT PROJECTS IS OUR NATIONAL CRIME VICTIMS AGENDA, WHICH WE HOPE WILL SERVE AS A GUIDE ON VICTIMS ISSUES INTO THE NEXT CENTURY. AS PART OF OUR PROJECT, WE INTEND TO UPDATE THE 1982 PRESIDENTIAL TASK FORCE REPORT ON VICTIMS OF CRIME. WE WILL GIVE A STATUS REPORT ON THIS LANDMARK DOCUMENT THAT CONTAINED 68 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FEDERAL AND STATE ACTION, ENCOMPASSING A BROAD RANGE OF PROPOSALS FOR EVERY PROFESSION THAT INTERACTS WITH CRIME VICTIMS. IN FACT, THE CRIME VICTIMS FUND AND THE OFFICE FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME WERE CREATED AS A DIRECT RESULT OF THE 1982 REPORT.
OVC'S NEW REPORT, WHICH WILL ASSESS HOW FAR WE HAVE COME IN THE PAST 13 YEARS, WILL PRIMARILY FOCUS ON PROPOSING AN ACTION PLAN FOR THE FUTURE. IT WILL DEAL WITH MANY EMERGING ISSUES, SUCH AS HOW TO USE TECHNOLOGY TO BENEFIT THE VICTIMS FIELD AND HOW TO REFORM THE JUVENILE COURT SYSTEMS IN WHICH CRIME VICTIMS CURRENTLY DO NOT HAVE RIGHTS. WE ALSO INTEND TO FOCUS ON "BEST PRACTICES" IN EACH FIELD AND ENCOURAGE REPLICATION OF EFFECTIVE PROGRAMS. WE HAVE ABOUT 25 CONSULTANTS AND DOZENS OF REVIEWERS FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY WHO ARE EXPERTS IN DIFFERENT VICTIM-RELATED AREAS AND WHO WILL HELP US ISSUE THIS NEW AGENDA.
LET ME MENTION A FEW OF THE KINDS OF INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS INITIATED IN VARIOUS PARTS OF THE COUNTRY BY LOCAL COMMUNITIES THAT MAY BE HIGHLIGHTED IN THE REPORT.
IN THE AREA OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE, CERTAINLY THE REPORT WILL CONTAIN A DESCRIPTION OF THE SUCCESSFUL TEAM APPROACH THAT HAS BEEN IMPLEMENTED IN MANY COMMUNITIES TO HANDLE THESE CASES. THIS APPROACH WAS FIRST INITIATED BY BUD CRAMER, THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY OF HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA IN 1985 WHEN HE DECIDED THAT ABUSED CHILDREN HAD TO BE TREATED IN A DIFFERENT WAY BY OUR CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IF THEY COULD EVER BE EXPECTED TO PARTICIPATE EFFECTIVELY IN THAT SYSTEM. HE WAS TIRED OF SEEING CHILDREN RE-VICTIMIZED --- BEING INTERVIEWED MANY DIFFERENT TIMES BY NUMEROUS AGENCY OFFICIALS IN FRIGHTENING SETTINGS SUCH AS POLICE STATIONS. HE DEVELOPED AN ADVOCACY CENTER ESPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR KIDS, WHERE GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES WORK TOGETHER TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF INTERVIEWS AND COORDINATE CASES. I CO-FOUNDED A SIMILAR CENTER IN LOS ANGELES AFTER EXPERIENCING THE SAME FRUSTRATION WITH THE TRADITIONAL SYSTEM. I REMEMBER VIVIDLY MANY CASES HANDLED IN THE OLD WAY. A FOUR-YEAR-OLD CHILD WHO CAME WHO HAD THREE SEPARATE PELVIC EXAMINATIONS BECAUSE OF A LACK OF COORDINATION BETWEEN AGENCIES. I REMEMBER A 14-YEAR-OLD BOY WHO WAS SODOMIZED BY A NEIGHBOR. HE WAS INTERVIEWED 12 DIFFERENT TIMES BY VARIOUS PEOPLE IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. IN RESPONSE TO THESE KINDS OF CASES, OUR CENTER PROVIDES ALL OF THE SERVICES THESE CHILDREN NEED IN ONE CHILD-FRIENDLY FACILITY. THERE IS ONE INTERVIEW CONDUCTED JOINTLY BY THE DEPUTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY AND POLICE OFFICER. IT IS WATCHED BY THE DCS WORKER AND CHILD ADVOCATE. THE FACILITY ALSO PROVIDES MEDICAL CARE, THERAPY SERVICES, AND IT HAS A COURT ORIENTATION PROGRAM. BUD'S VISION NOT ONLY GAVE RISE TO OUR CENTER, IT LED TO A NATIONAL MOVEMENT, AND TODAY THERE ARE MORE THAN 200 CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY CENTERS IN SOME STAGE OF DEVELOPMENT IN 43 STATES. IN FACT, I FLEW HERE TODAY AFTER HAVING ADDRESSED THE 1200 PEOPLE AT THE 11TH ANNUAL CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE CONFERENCE IN HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA. THIS KIND OF INTERAGENCY MODEL SHOULD EXIST IN EVERY COMMUNITY.
IN ANOTHER AREA, THERE HAVE BEEN INNOVATIVE EFFORTS TO ADDRESS CRIMES AGAINST OLDER AMERICANS THROUGH LOCAL PARTNERSHIPS BETWEEN LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES AND SENIOR CITIZEN ORGANIZATIONS. THIS CONCEPT WAS FIRST INITIATED BY SHERIFF CHARLES FUSELIER IN ST. MARTIN PARISH, LOUISIANA. THE CONCEPT WAS LATER DUPLICATED IN BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT, WHEN THE SHERIFF THERE MET WITH SENIOR CITIZEN GROUPS AND DECIDED TO PAY FOR A BUS THAT WOULD TAKE SENIORS LIVING IN ONE HOUSING PROJECT TO THE MARKET EACH WEEK. MANY WERE AFRAID TO BUY FOOD ALONE. IN RETURN, SOME OF THE SENIOR WOMEN CROCHETED ADORABLE OUTFITS FOR TEDDY BEARS, WHICH THE SHERIFFS THEN USED TO GIVE TO CHILDREN WHO HAD BEEN SEXUALLY ABUSED. LIKE CHILD ADVOCACY CENTERS, THIS NEW KIND OF PARTNERSHIP TO BENEFIT SENIORS, CALLED TRIAD, HAS SPREAD TO 133 PROGRAMS IN 39 STATES. IT'S ANOTHER MODEL THAT DESERVES REPLICATION AROUND THE COUNTRY.
SOME COMMUNITIES HAVE CREATED NEW WAYS OF HANDLING THE MEDICAL ASPECTS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT CASES. INSTEAD OF HANDLING THESE CASES IN THE CHAOS OF EMERGENCY ROOMS BY DOCTORS WHO GENERALLY RESIST GOING TO COURT, THESE COMMUNITIES HAVE CREATED A SPECIAL ENVIRONMENT FOR VICTIMS TO BE EXAMINED AND, THEY USE TRAINED NURSE PRACTITIONERS TO CONDUCT THE EVIDENTIARY MEDICAL EXAM. ONE SUCH PROGRAM, WHICH WAS INITIATED IN TULSA, OKLAHOMA BY ITS POLICE DEPARTMENT, WAS RECENTLY RECOGNIZED BY THE FORD FOUNDATION AS AN IMPORTANT INNOVATION. AFTER MORE THAN 500 SUCH EXAMS, TULSA POLICE OFFICIALS NOTED A SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENT IN THE QUALITY OF FORENSIC EVIDENCE, AND A HIGHER RATE OF CONVICTION DUE TO A GREATER WILLINGNESS OF VICTIMS TO SUBMIT TO THESE EXAMS. THEY ALSO REPORTED THAT ALL OF THE CASES PROSECUTED WITH NURSES PROVIDING TESTIMONY RESULTED IN CONVICTIONS. COMMUNITIES SHOULD SUPPORT THE CREATION OF SPECIAL MEDICAL ROOMS FOR CRIME VICTIMS, ESPECIALLY CHILDREN AND SEXUAL ASSAULT SURVIVORS, AND EXPLORE THE COST-EFFECTIVE USE OF HIGHLY TRAINED NURSE PRACTITIONERS TO PROVIDE EVIDENTIARY EXAMS.
ANOTHER INNOVATIVE PROGRAM WAS INITIATED IN JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA, WHERE THE NATION'S FIRST COMPREHENSIVE VICTIM SERVICES CENTER WAS STARTED IN 1991. IT PROVIDES A WIDE RANGE OF SERVICES, SUCH AS CHANGING THE LOCKS ON THE HOMES OF POOR WOMEN WHO HAVE BEEN BURGLARIZED; ACCOMPANYING VICTIMS TO COURT, AND PROVIDING MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS AND THERAPY FOR ALL VICTIMS WHO NEED IT. LOCATING ALL CRIME VICTIMS SERVICES IN ONE FACILITY IS A GREAT BENEFIT TO CRIME VICTIMS. IT'S ALSO AN APPROACH THAT DESERVES REPLICATION.
A NUMBER OF INTERESTING PRACTICES HAVE BEEN INITIATED IN THE FIELD OF CORRECTIONS. FOR EXAMPLE, MOTHERS AGAINST DRUNK DRIVING HAS BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN ORGANIZING VICTIM IMPACT PANELS WHERE VICTIMS OR RELATIVES OF VICTIMS KILLED BY DRUNK DRIVERS PARTICIPATE IN PROGRAMS TO EDUCATE DRUNK DRIVERS AND THE COMMUNITY ABOUT THE DEVASTATING IMPACT OF THIS CRIME. THIS MODEL HAS BEEN UTILIZED AT THE CALIFORNIA YOUTH AUTHORITY (CYA) SINCE 1985 AND WAS FEATURED RECENTLY ON A 60 MINUTES SEGMENT. IT HELPS TO CHANGE THE ATTITUDES OF YOUTHFUL OFFENDERS, AND ASSISTS VICTIMS IN HAVING A VOICE IN THE PROGRAMS AND POLICIES OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES.
ANOTHER IMPORTANT INNOVATION THAT BENEFITS VICTIMS OF CRIME IS THE KIND OF VOLUNTEER TEAM APPROACH TO HANDLING MASSIVE VICTIMIZATIONS THAT HAS BEEN PIONEERED BY THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA. THEY HAVE DEVELOPED A STATEWIDE CRISIS RESPONSE TEAM THAT INCLUDES 110 MEMBERS FROM 16 DISCIPLINES, RANGING FROM MENTAL HEALTH PRACTITIONERS, TO CRIME VICTIMS ADVOCATES, SOCIAL WORKERS, LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND CLERGY. EVERY TEAM MEMBER RECEIVES A MINIMUM OF 24 HOURS OF BASIC RESPONSE TRAINING. THE PRIMARY GOAL OF THE TEAM IS TO TRAIN LOCAL COMMUNITIES AND INSTITUTIONS HOW TO DEVELOP THEIR OWN LOCAL CRISIS RESPONSE SYSTEM, AS WELL AS TO RESPOND TO CRITICAL INCIDENTS.
IN THE HIGHLY PUBLICIZED SOUTH CAROLINA CASE IN WHICH SUSAN SMITH IS CHARGED WITH DROWNING HER TWO YOUNG SONS, TWO GROUPS OF 25 TEAM MEMBERS EACH HELPED THE COMMUNITY OF UNION DEAL WITH THE AFTERMATH OF THIS TRAGIC EVENT. THEY PROVIDED DEBRIEFINGS FOR MANY GROUPS, INCLUDING THE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS WHO WORKED ON THE CASE, AND SCHOOL CHILDREN WHO WERE ALSO GREATLY IMPACTED BY THE DEATHS OF THE TWO YOUNG BOYS. THIS TYPE OF PROGRAM IS ANOTHER KIND OF IMPORTANT INNOVATION WHICH DESERVES REPLICATION.
ALL AROUND THE COUNTRY ONE SEES NEW APPROACHES THAT BENEFIT CRIME VICTIMS --- WHETHER IT'S CHILDREN'S COURTS - COURTROOMS DESIGNED ESPECIALLY FOR CHILD VICTIMS; COMMUNITY POLICE OR PROSECUTORS WHO DEFINE THEIR JOBS IN THE FIELD WITH THE INPUT OF THE PEOPLE THEY SERVE; OR STRONGER VICTIM-ORIENTED LAWS. EVERY STATE TODAY HAS A VICTIMS BILL OF RIGHTS, ABOUT 20 OF WHICH ARE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS.
BUILDING UPON THESE KINDS OF INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS AND PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR VICTIM-ORIENTED LEGISLATION, I HOPE THAT THE NATIONAL VICTIMS AGENDA SPONSORED BY THE OFFICE FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME, WILL PROPOSE MANY CONCRETE RECOMMENDATIONS OF HOW ALL LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT AND COMMUNITIES CAN PROVIDE BETTER SERVICES AND STRENGTHEN THE RIGHTS OF CRIME VICTIMS.
LET ME QUICKLY MENTION A FEW PROPOSALS WHICH MAY BE INCORPORATED INTO OUR AGENDA.
1. MOST STATE VICTIMS BILLS OF RIGHTS ONLY APPLY TO CERTAIN CRIME VICTIMS --- VICTIMS OF FELONIES. IF YOU ARE THE VICTIM OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OR DRUNK DRIVING, YOUR CASE IS LIKELY TO BE PROSECUTED AS A MISDEMEANOR. IN WHICH CASE, YOUR STATE VICTIMS BILL OF RIGHTS DOES NOT APPLY. YOU DON'T FOR EXAMPLE, HAVE THE RIGHT TO GIVE A VICTIM IMPACT STATEMENT AT SENTENCING. I THINK THAT BOTH STATE AND FEDERAL VICTIMS BILLS OF RIGHTS SHOULD APPLY TO EVERY CRIME VICTIM, NOT JUST VICTIMS OF FELONIES.
2. MOST JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEMS ARE CLOAKED IN SECRECY. VICTIMS HAVE NO RIGHTS WITHIN THOSE SYSTEMS, WHICH WERE DESIGNED YEARS AGO TO PROTECT THE CONFIDENTIALITY OF JUVENILE OFFENDERS. TODAY, YOUTH VIOLENCE IS THE FASTEST GROWING SEGMENT OF CRIME. IT IS CHARACTERIZED, AT TIMES, WITH UNTHINKABLE BRUTALITY AND INHUMANITY. IT IS TIME FOR VICTIMS TO HAVE THE SAME RIGHTS IN JUVENILE COURTS AS THEY HAVE IN ADULT COURTS.
3. MANY PROFESSIONALS WHO DEAL WITH CRIME VICTIMS ARE NEVER TAUGHT IN SCHOOL ABOUT THE IMPACT OF VICTIMIZATION OR BEST PRACTICES IN THE FIELD. THE EDUCATIONAL CURRICULUM IN COLLEGES AND IN GRADUATE SCHOOLS FOR DOCTORS, LAWYERS, NURSES, SOCIAL WORKERS, LAW ENFORCEMENT, MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS, THE CLERGY, AND OTHERS, WOULD INCLUDE TRAINING ON CRIME VICTIMS ISSUES. SOME OF THESE COURSES SHOULD BE INTERDISCIPLINARY AND INFORM STUDENTS ABOUT EFFECTIVE TEAM APPROACHES TO HANDLING CRIME.
4. THERE SHOULD BE COURSES ABOUT CRIME PREVENTION STRATEGIES AND VICTIMIZATION IN EVERY GRADE, BEGINNING IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, SO THAT OUR CHILDREN LEARN HOW TO PROTECT THEMSELVES, AND BECOME FAMILIAR WITH THE SERVICES THAT ARE AVAILABLE IF THEY DO BECOME VICTIMS.
5. AS DESCRIBED IN THE INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS THAT I CITED, VICTIM IMPACT CLASSES SHOULD BE UTILIZED AS AN IMPORTANT EDUCATIONAL METHOD TO TRAIN PROFESSIONALS, SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN, AND OFFENDERS. MEDICAL EXAMS FOR VICTIMS SHOULD BE CONDUCTED IN SUPPORTIVE SETTINGS, NOT IN HOSPITAL EMERGENCY ROOMS, AND NURSE PRACTITIONERS SHOULD BE USED MORE WIDELY TO CONDUCT THESE EXAMS. EVERY COMMUNITY AND EVERY INSTITUTION SHOULD HAVE A CRISIS RESPONSE TEAM PREPARED TO ADDRESS MAJOR TRAUMATIC EVENTS.
FINALLY, I BELIEVE THAT THE TEAM APPROACH WIDELY USED NOW TO HANDLE CHILD ABUSE CASES SHOULD BE APPLIED MUCH MORE BROADLY --- AT LEAST TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT CASES. NO CRIME VICTIM IN AMERICA SHOULD HAVE TO CONFRONT MULTIPLE INTERVIEWS, MULTIPLE INVESTIGATORS AND PROSECUTORS, A LACK OF COORDINATION BETWEEN AGENCIES, AND A LACK OF INFORMATION ABOUT THE STATUS OF THEIR CASE. WE MUST PUT RESOURCES INTO EXPANDING THIS TEAM APPROACH.
THESE ARE BUT A FEW OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS THAT I HOPE COMMUNITIES WILL CONSIDER IMPLEMENTING TO ENHANCE VICTIMS RIGHTS AND SERVICES AS WE MOVE INTO THE NEXT CENTURY.
I'D LIKE TO CLOSE WITH THIS STORY THAT THE GREAT CIVIL RIGHTS WORKER FANNY LOU HAMER USED TO TELL ABOUT THE WISE OLD WOMAN AND THE TWO LITTLE BOYS WHO THOUGHT THEY WERE VERY CLEVER. THEY DECIDED TO FOOL THE OLD WOMAN BY CATCHING A SMALL BIRD AND CUPPING IT IN ONE BOY'S HAND. THEY WOULD THEN BRING IT TO THE OLD WOMAN AND SAY, "OLD WOMAN, WE HAVE A BIRD IN OUR HANDS. IS IT ALIVE OR DEAD?" THEIR PLAN WAS THAT IF SHE SAID THE BIRD WAS DEAD, THEY WOULD RELEASE IT AND LET IT FLY AWAY. IF SHE SAID IT WAS ALIVE, THEY WOULD CRUSH IT AND SHOW HER THE DEAD BIRD. BUT WHEN THE BOYS BROUGHT THE BIRD TO THE OLD WOMAN AND ASKED HER THEIR QUESTION, SHE ANSWERED, "IT'S IN YOUR HANDS."
THE FUTURE OF HOW WE AS A SOCIETY HANDLE CRIME VICTIMS ISSUES IS INDEED IN YOUR HANDS. WE AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL WILL TRY TO SUPPORT YOU IN EVERY WAY THAT WE CAN, BUT WE KNOW THAT THE LEADERSHIP ON THIS ISSUE, THE INNOVATIONS, AND THE PROVISION OF SERVICES COMES PRIMARILY FROM YOU. AND, KNOWING OF YOUR LOCAL COMMITMENT AND DEDICATION, I AM VERY OPTIMISTIC THAT THE SERVICE PROVIDERS IN THIS REGION WILL BE SUCCESSFUL IN ENHANCING SERVICES, STRENGTHENING LAWS, AND DESIGNING EFFECTIVE PREVENTION PROGRAMS --- THE MOST IMPORTANT THING THAT WE CAN DO TO BENEFIT VICTIMS OF CRIME.