Va. Network’s Victims’ Rights Committee Tele-conference Minutes

Wednesday 27 May 2015 at 1pm

Attendees:

Karen Mortensen, New Kent VW

Kyanna Perkins, Richmond City VW

Carla Wagstaff, DCJS

Ebony Velazquez, Hampton VW

Carol Wilson, York/Poquoson VW

Noreen Dinndorf, MADD

Discussion:

Training

Kyanna asked if anyone had planned to attend the NCVLI training in Oregon next week. They now offer the opportunity to participate remotely at a cost of $149 for 5 participants. Suggestions were made to plan on being part of this next year.

Confidentiality

Carla updated the group on the confidentiality issue brought up during the last meeting regarding virtual files. She had been in touch with Leanne Fuller, Audit Dept. at the Supreme Court who stated that clerks receive training and guidance twice a year. The new system will allow for a file to be marked confidential and all documents with victim information will be hidden from the public/ defense attorneys. There is no need to redact information.

The OCRA program allows REMOTE ACCESS TO CIRCUIT COURT CASE IMAGING SYSTEM and those jurisdictions that have it, should allow us to have access.

Legal Update:

Kyanna attended a meeting where Susheela Varky, with the Virginia Poverty Law Center offered legal updates. Information will be sent as an attachment.

Hot Topics:

Current specialist works full-time in the CA’s office and part-time as an advocate for a local sexual assault program came in contact with a client who refused to cooperate with the prosecution. The case was ultimately dismissed. Prosecutor later discovered that the victim was known to make up assaults. Specialist was only made aware of this fact by the sexual assault program as she did not work with this client on the prosecutor’s case. There is concern regarding confidentiality and the different levels required by both agencies. Would that information be considered exculpatory? Suggestions included discussing the case at a roundtable with the CA’s office and the specifics of the M.O.U. with the sexual assault program regarding roles.

Kyanna: Questioned the group’s knowledge and any issues of the I-CAN! program.

                Some issues were the two computer systems (I-CAN! and Court) not being able to “talk” to each other and the victim having to re-do the whole application when meeting with the intake officer.

• ·         Victim accessibility to the I-CAN! System- are there computer stations in JDR intake    offices?
• ·         Buy-in from Clerks of court for similar system in GDC.
• ·         Funding for the computers for victims to use

Carla and DCJS update:  

                CIMS updates are available at http://www.dcjs.virginia.gov/victims/cims/

                Reminder to complete VOCA survey. Cutoff date is 5/29

                DCJS thanks all program staff who attended the Victims’ Rights Week event.

Upcoming DCJS training:

Introduction to the Forensic Experiential Trauma Interview within the Sexual Assault Investigative Response – June 8-9 in Richmond

Practical Application of the Forensic Experiential Trauma Interview within the Sexual Assault Investigative Response – June 10-12 in Richmond
 

Confronting Domestic Violence: Strengthening Investigation and Prosecution – June 17-19 in Portsmouth

Plans are being made for the Advanced Victim Assistance Academy and changes are being made to update the Basic Victim Assistance Academy.

The Victims’ Rights Card and Protection Orders brochure are now available in Spanish. The Information Guide for Protection Orders in VA and the Victim Impact Statement will be available in Spanish in the very near future.

Next meeting: Restitution Enforcement will be discussed

Meeting ended.       

Dates for next meetings:

Wed. 19 August                1pm

Wed. 18 November         1pm

Wed. 17 February            1pm

Wed. 18 May                     1pm