|
WHAT IS THE SEXUAL VIOLENCE JUSTICE INSTITUTE
Mission: Dedicated to promoting justice for victims of sexual violence through multidisciplinary collaboration, leadership and resources.
The purpose of this program of MNCASA is to encourage the effective and victim-centered investigation and prosecution of sexual assault cases by increasing access to protocols, training and resources. Research shows that only 16% to 20% of sexual assault victims turn to the criminal justice system for help. For a variety of reasons, victims have not seen the traditional system as a viable option. It is our goal to work together with community professionals to stop this trend.
The Sexual Violence Justice Institute is the result of a vision that grew out of the 5 year MN Model Protocol Project led by Victim Services of Dodge/Fillmore/Olmsted Community Corrections. That project tested and recommended a model process for community based teams to use to create an interdisciplinary, victim-centered, and coordinated response to sexual assault.
With technical assistance from the SVJI, SMART teams are successfully using this process in several counties in Minnesota.
In addition to the SMART team support, the SVJI offers the following additional resources to jurisdictions and disciplines as they work to increase the accessibility of the criminal justice system to victim/survivors.
- Focused training on:
- the 8-step process and community collaboration
- victim-centered approaches to investigation and prosecution, and
- legal advocacy
- Consultation on team formation and sustainability issues
- Clearinghouse of information, best practices and strategies for criminal justice professionals through the legal resources project.
- Cross disciplinary conversations and skill building through training, joint initiatives and policy development.
- Technical assistance and training to select grantees from the Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice.
Staff of the SVJI include Melia Garza, Leah Lutz, Caroline Palmer and Laura Williams.
|
