Subgrantees report the following areas as challenges in assisting clients with applying for Crime Victims Compensation:





? Lack of interest by clients, processing time, program guidelines, and illiteracy continue to be noted as having an impact on clients? requests of assistance.





? Providers note that many of the victims with whom they work have low socio-economic status. Georgia?s Crime Victim Compensation Program and other programs assisting victims reimburse victims for expenses already paid. Many clients do not have the funds to pay a bill first and then be compensated later. By the time the victim files for compensation for bills from a doctor, hospital, etc., the account may have already been turned over to a collection agency. Also in some cases victims want to receive the benefits of victim compensation without paying anything out of their pockets.  Some clients are not eligible for compensation due to loss of support, because the sole provider is the offender, not the victim.  





? Many victims are not aware of the requirement to report the crime to law enforcement within 72 hours in order to be eligible for victims? compensation.  To help with this issue many advocates try to make the requirement known to crime victims who may qualify for compensation benefits.  If victims have not yet filed a report and it is still in the 72 hour period, advocates will advise the victim to file a report because they may be eligible to receive compensation benefits.  Law enforcement victim advocates report a problem with homicide survivors whose cases are not turned over to prosecution victim advocates until an arrest is made.  Since this may take a long time with homicide cases, these victims do not learn about their eligibility for reimbursement for funeral expenses and do not file for victims? compensation.





? In a portion of the cases, particularly sexual assault, a victim may not report during the required 72 hours or may refuse to report to police entirely.  In many instances, due to the violent nature of the crime it is not uncommon for victims and families to relocate temporarily and even permanently.  Victims may re-locate more than once in the aftermath until finally finding new permanent housing.  Victims may also charge their home and cellular telephone numbers as a way to protect themselves.  Efforts to avoid contact with the perpetrator increase if the offender is known to the victim, as is often the case in crimes of domestic violence, stalking, sexual assault, and sexual abuse.  Some grantees? intake processes do provide for third party contact information for the victim as an alternative to direct contact.  





? The increasing number of immigrants who do not speak English is creating difficulties for both linguistic and cultural reasons. For example, victims who are in the country illegally are sometimes reluctant to trust in a branch of the government out of fear of deportation.  Second, many victims move quickly and are difficult to locate.  By the time a case reaches the District Attorney?s Office, some victims have moved or changed phone numbers.  (It should be noted that the CVCP is able to process a claim without a Social Security Number).  Also there continues to be a shortage of interpreters available to communicate effectively with the Hispanic community in particular. 





? Some clients expect immediate results when filing victims compensation claims. Victims are sometimes discouraged when made aware of how long it can possibly take for their claims to be processed. Providers continue to express the importance, benefits, and process of completing the application.  





? Knowledge about the Victims Compensation Program continues to be a challenge for many providers in getting the word out.  A major issue is informing victims about the compensation program at the time of the crime. Many providers continue to encourage law enforcement to assist with informing victims about the benefits of the victims compensation program.





The Victims? Compensation Program (another administrative unit of the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council) has been working with the Planning, Research, and Evaluation Section to develop and administer surveys about victim notification knowledge and current practices for law enforcement officers.   

VOCA subgrantees are actively engaged in a wide variety of efforts to promote coordinated public and private efforts within the community to aid crime victims.  Task Forces and coalitions that are active in most jurisdictions include Domestic Violence Task Forces, Sexual Assault Response Teams, Child Fatality Review Teams and Child Abuse Response Teams, and Family Connections, a county-wide network of social service agencies found in most Georgia counties. In addition, some jurisdictions support Domestic Violence Fatality Review Teams. Another focal area supported by coordinated efforts are community education and awareness programs. 


 


Some examples of these efforts are described below:





? Alapaha Circuit District Attorney Victim Witness Assistance Program


...we attempt to foster positive relations with all law enforcement, DFCS, school personnel, probation, parole, court personnel, county Family Connections, city and county governments and civic and church groups to promote understanding of crime victim issues.  We feel awareness of issues as well as the availability of our services aids crime victims.  We support and engage in Domestic Violence Task Forces, S.A.R.T.s, and Child Abuse Protocols and Councils.  We are available for speaking and training for any group.  We attempt to educate and include entire communities with special articles and other activities during national spotlighted months, such as National Crime Victims Rights Week and Domestic Violence Awareness Month.





? Atlanta Legal Aid Society


The Atlanta Ombudsman?s office participates in many collaborative efforts that address elder abuse and its prevention in the 10-county Atlanta metro area. We coordinate efforts to fight this crime and abuse with the Atlanta Legal Aid Society?s Senior Citizens Law Project (SCLP) and the DeKalb County Solicitor?s Office.  During this past year, the Atlanta Ombudsman?s office was invited by DeKalb County Solicitor Robert James and Deputy Solicitor Angel Riley to help form a special task force in the state of Georgia called ?Vulnerable Adults Living at Risk Invisibly? (VALARI). VALARI?s mission is to form and encourage excellent relationships between law enforcement, prosecutors, first responders, Adult Protective Services, the Office of Regulatory Services, the DeKalb County TRIAD, long-term care ombudsmen, local geriatric doctors, financial institutions, and various other senior organizations. This collaborative task force now meets once per month with the mission of better protecting our seniors from becoming victims of crime. 





? Clayton County Judicial Circuit District Attorney Victim Witness Assistance Program


The Clayton County District Attorney's Office Victim Witness Assistance Program continues to strive to promote coordinated public and private efforts within the community to aid crime victims. Staff from our office regularly attend several meetings in the community that help increase community coordination to assist crime victims. These meetings help educate others in the community on what their agency does and how we can all work together. Also, these meetings assist the agencies in providing effective agency input on certain cases, and by sharing information that may assist each other in serving crime victims better.  These meetings include but are not limited to the Domestic Violence Task Force, Child Abuse Protocol and Child Fatality Review Committee. This past year, our office participated in a balloon release and candlelight vigil for survivors of murder victims during National Crime Victim's Rights Week and also participated in the Riverdale Police Department's Annual Domestic Violence Symposium.  Further, a staff member or volunteer from Victim Assistance continues to serve on the Clayton County Juvenile Court's F.A.S.T. Panel. This is a multidisciplinary panel that convenes three times per week to evaluate juveniles that are detained. This staff member attends to ensure that the victim's voice is heard and any decisions will take into account the safety of the community and especially the victim.





? Georgia Center for Child Advocacy


GCCA facilitates bimonthly multidisciplinary team (MDT) case review meetings that include representatives from law enforcement, DFCS, Children?s Healthcare of Atlanta, the District Attorney?s Office, Juvenile Court, CASA, and other such agencies.  The team meets to review each case and shares pertinent information vital to our clients' cases.  These meetings help ensure that cases receive attention from all parties involved and can be followed through prosecution.   During this reporting period, 320 cases were staffed in DeKalb County and 452 cases were staffed in Fulton County. GCCA staff also assists law enforcement and the District Attorneys with litigation preparation and expert testimony.  GCCA facilitates workshops and presentations on a variety of topics related to child victimization including behavioral indicators of victimization, reporting child abuse, service delivery, dynamics of sexual abuse in families, and education regarding forensic interviews and evaluations.  These workshops are presented to DFCS workers, school personnel, first response officers, mandated reporters and hospital personnel, as well as students in mental health fields.  





? HODAC, Inc.


Hodac worked with several local agencies, including Salvation Army Safe House, Rainbow House, and Family Advocacy on Robins Air Force Base, etc. to promote awareness of services to aid crime victims.  These coordinated efforts included health fairs, Public Service Announcements, newsletters, speaking engagements, newspaper articles, and television stories.  





Hodac staff members participate on Houston County's Sexual Assault Response Team (SART). Members of the team include law enforcement, district attorney, military base officials, SANEs, and community members.  Perhaps the biggest coordinated effort is the work being done through the Houston Family Violence Prevention Council (HFVPC) of which HODAC is a member and monthly participant.  Other members of the HFVPC include representatives from all local law enforcement agencies, the Salvation Army Safe House, the Rainbow House, the District Attorney?s Office, the Solicitor General?s Office, the Department of Family and Children?s Services, the Family Counseling Center, Family Advocacy (RAFB), etc.  The purpose of the Council is to promote coordination between agencies, departments and courts with victim of domestic violence and abuse in order to improve service delivery.





? Project Safe Inc.


Project Safe leads several efforts to coordinate our community's response to domestic violence.  Our VAWA-funded fatality review coordinator works with a panel comprised of law enforcement, prosecution, probation, DFCS and Project Safe to review closed cases of fatalities, near fatalities and serious felonies.  In addition to making and implementing recommendations for change, the fatality review process has led to joint staffing of cases as well.  As a result of local fatality review, Project Safe began reading police reports of domestic violence and contacting victims to make sure they were aware of resources and support available.  





Project Safe also has a project to reach out and respond to cases where domestic violence and child abuse are both present.  In addition to providing direct services to these families following referrals from DFCS, we work to improve the flow of information and collaborative process with the police, prosecutors and child protective services. The Executive Director of Project Safe and the Solicitor General of Athens-Clarke County developed a joint presentation on our community?s response to domestic violence that we frequently deliver to employers and civic groups in our community.





? Rape Crisis Center of the Coastal Empire, Inc.


We participate in the planning and facilitation of the local conference, "Clergy's Response to Victms of Crime" on a yearly basis. We utilize opportunities to speak to public and private groups about sexual assault awareness, which helps to raise awareness among community members as well as identify survivors within these groups who are in need of services.





We continue to maintain strong working relationships with other victim services agencies, such as the Victim Witness Assistance Program in the District Attorney's Office, S.A.F.E. Shelter, Coastal Children's Advocacy Center, DFCS, and others. We are an active participant in the Savannah Working Against Human Trafficking working group to identify victims of human trafficking so that outreach and services can be provided. 





We continue to maintain strong working relationships with area law enforcement agencies and the District Attorney's offices in multiple jurisdictions and judicial circuits.  We actively participate in the weekly and monthly multi-disciplinary team meetings to review child sexual assault cases in Chatham and Liberty counties. 





? Whitfield County  Board of Commissioners


We have both a domestic violence and a child abuse protocol implemented and signed by community agencies, law enforcement, health services, mental health services, DFCS, schools, etc. We have a 501(c)3 Board of Directors as a part of our local advocacy center, The GreenHouse. In addition, we are in the process of developing a SART protocol and partnering with our local hospital to set up a private examining room in the ER specifically for adult and child victims of sexual assault. The hospital and our office are assisting with funding to train 4 adult SANEs and 2 pediatric SANEs.  In addition, the VWAP Director serves on the CJCC Board and Executive committee and the CJCC Compensation Appeals Committee. The GreenHouse Director serves on the Whitfield and Murray County Child Abuse Multidisciplinary Teams, Whitfield County Collaborative Committee, Child Advocacy Centers of Georgia Board, and Troubled Children's Council.

The following excerpts from Victim Assistance Programs illustrate the array of efforts to serve federal crime victims.  Due to their service areas and/or target populations, not all VOCA-funded programs encounter federal crime victims. Notable themes that recur include partnerships with military bases to serve victims of domestic violence and sexual assault; partnerships with the U.S. Attorney?s Office to provide services to victims of armed robbery and homicide; and numerous instances of partnerships with the Federal Bureau of Investigation on cases involving internet pornography and the sexual exploitation of children.





? Battered Women's Shelter, Inc.


The Haven works closely with Moody Air Force Base and their Sexual Assault Response Coordinator.  We have implemented a separate and specific MOU for military personnel. The Haven also collaborates with the Southwest Georgia Federal Gang Task Force whenever gang activity is suspected to be associated with the crime.





? Cherokee Child Advocacy Council, Inc.


The Advocacy Center provides a multidisciplinary approach to child victims.  The team includes local law enforcement agencies who work closely with federal agencies on a case by case basis.  Children who are victims of federal crimes are referred to the center for services as needed.  Law enforcement in Cherokee County has been involved in investigating and referring children to the center who have been victims of federal internet sex crimes.





? Clayton County Board of Commissioners/ D.A.'s Office


Our Program Director has directly assisted approximately 10 victims apply for U-Visas.  U-Visa applications are submitted to the U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement and if approved, grants Visa status to illegal immigrants who are family members of: murder victims and are needed to testify in court; victims of sexual assault; domestic violence; and child victims.  This year we also expanded our services to provide access to U-Visas to those undocumented victims of felony crime where an arrest has not been made.  We accomplished this by going to the municipalities and speaking to the officers directly, by advising the community at each speaking engagement we attended, and by going to the Spanish community directly.  





? Cherokee Family Violence Center


Whenever appropriate, we provide documentation and evidence to federal authorities working domestic violence cases.  We advocate with foreign embassies when working with documented and undocumented immigrants.  We involve the FBI, CIA, and INS whenever we have a domestic violence crime against an undocumented immigrant who is fearful of being deported.





 


? Children's Center for Hope & Healing (formerly the Family Relations Program)


We serve victims of federal crimes that are also the victims of sexual offenses.  Example:  A child we served in 2008 was the victim of a kidnapping that resulted in his sexual exploitation.





? Coastal Children's Advocacy Center


CCAC has worked with federal crime victims rarely, and then usually as a result of civilians committing child abuse on military installations--a relatively rare occurrence; as a result of one such case, CCAC's director testified in the sentencing portion of a plea agreement, resulting in a longer sentence for the offender.  





The only other situation in which our services are needed in a federal case arose this year, following a child pornography investigation and prosecution on the West Coast.  Through combined work by the FBI's Innocent Images and the US Attorney's Project Safe Childhood, a victim of internet child porn was identified here in Savannah, and the FBI referred her to us for counseling.  We anticipate more such referrals in future.  





We also continue to collaborate with Criminal Investigations, Social Work Services, and JAG offices in military sexual abuse cases, and cooperate with the FBI and the U.S. Attorney's Office and its victim services component, whenever needed. Last year, CCAC's director made a presentation at the Project Safe Childhood conference hosted by the US Attorney's Office, Southern District of GA, and this year is participating in the local task force on human trafficking put together by the FBI and US Attorney's Office victim service specialists, in conjuction with Zonta.





? Family Counseling Center of Central Ga., Inc.


All our services are available to Federal Crime Victims. During this reporting period, we served a Federal Crime Victim who relocated to our area from Florida.





? Georgia Mountain Women's Center, Inc.


We have a victim of human trafficking in our shelter facility.  She has been a resident for 3 months.  





? Georgia Center for Child Advocacy


GCCA has a national reputation for providing comprehensive services to children who have been victimized.   State and federal agencies such as the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation have sought GCCA's assistance and expertise with investigations of victims who have relocated to Georgia and/or those cases in which the GBI and FBI are directly involved.  GCCA has collaborated with federal agencies in providing forensic interviews and expert testimony as needed.  In order to better serve victims, the GCCA staff is encouraged to take advantage of continued education opportunities.  





 


? Glynn County Board of Commissioners


Since 1998 there have only been two cases in Glynn County that pertained to a Federal crime.  One of these cases was an interference of custody case where the alleged offender took a child to New York where she refused to bring the child back to Georgia to the legal custodial parent.  I assisted this victim with names and contact information of agencies that helped him file the necessary forms to enforce the return of his child until matters were turned over to Federal Court.  Every effort is always made to assist whichever agency that is taking legal action to help victims of crime whether it be charges brought by the individual, State or the Federal government.  





? Hall County Broad of Commissioners


We participate in Federal Victim Seminars online and at conferences and take an active part in the Hall County Sheriff's Department's 287(g) immigration program.





? Northwest GA Child Advocacy Center, Inc. (Harbor House)


Harbor House is available to provide direct services to Federal crime victims.  We have assisted with several internet cases that have eventually involved federal charges but were brought to us by a local/regional law enforcement agency.  Our services primarily are provided to local and state victims of crime.  As well, our services are provided via referrals from local and regional law enforcement and DFCS.  But as stated, we are available to receive referrals from Federal sources.





? Partnership Against Domestic Violence (PADV)


PADV legal advocates serve federal crime victims through: provision of advocacy and support in court and throughout the legal process, client referrals to other social service organizations, assistance in filing petitions for relief under the family violence act. 





? Rainbow House, Inc.


Rainbow Connection CAAC coordinates services with the FBI when requested.  Also, Clayton Police Dept works in conjunction with the FBI and GBI on Internet Crimes Against Children.





? SafePath Children's Advocacy Center, Inc.


SafePath coordinated with Cobb County Crimes Against Children and the FBI on a case involving an adult male taking pictures of young boys and assisting them while in the restroom at a department store.  The child victims and non-offending caregivers came to SafePath and as they were greeted by the Intervention Support Specialist the mother became very upset.  The Detective and SafePath staff comforted the mother and the victims were interviewed to get as many details as possible about the crime and the unknown male offender.  As the mother was informed about the details of her children's abuse she became upset again and SafePath provided additional crisis intervention.  SafePath and Law Enforcement informed and educated the caregivers on the Criminal Justice process and the possibility of other victims which meant that the description of the offender was going to be placed on the news.  This led to the offender being arrested and it was discovered that he had numerous pictures of child pornography on his home computer.  The FBI was notified and collaborated with the local Detective and SafePath to keep the victims? families involved and informed.  The FBI has recently indicted the offender.  SafePath also provided additional resources to the families involved in this crime.





? Toombs Judicial Circuit District Attorney?s Office Victim Witness Assistance Program


We are available to assist federal crime victims whenever needed. We currently have 14 victims of Armed Robbery that we are assisting the Federal authorities with. During this Grant we closed out a murder case in which the defendant had Federal gun charges pending that arose from the murder case. We kept the murder victims family informed of the status of the Federal case. 

? Outcome Performance Measurement Project


The Council used some VOCA approved training funds to continue the Outcome Performance Measurement Project begun with funding from the 2006 SJS grant.  Performance Vistas, Inc., and staff from the Planning, Research, and Evaluation (PRE) Section held three regional meetings with prosecution-based victim witness assistance programs during Fall 2007.  These meetings provided staff from the VWAPs to receive training on constructing logic models to better understand how the performance indicators were developed and the data collection guidelines were developed.





The majority of VOCA-funded programs began collecting outcome performance data using program specific instruments directly from victims in October 2007.  However, the prosecution-based programs began collecting data in January 2008 after their additional training sessions were completed.  All VOCA-funded programs were required to report their first data on April 15th, two weeks after the close of the second quarter.  Performance Vistas, Inc. developed Excel-based spreadsheets for program staff to use to compile individual level data and managed the website and Access database through which program staff reported their data.  The second date to report data was October 15th, 2008.  PRE Section staff have scheduled a meeting with PVI to review all of the data to assess completeness and quality, and will make recommendations to all programs regarding continuing to use the instruments as they are or make revisions.  Results of the first year of outcome performance data will be shared with program staff and used in the future to set program type-specific performance objectives. 





So far, feedback from programs on the data collection process has been very favorable.  Programs report using the information to make program improvements and to provide feedback to staff and to other program funders on accomplishments.  


	 





? GVAA


The Council made substantial changes in the Georgia Victim Assistance Academy this year.  Without continued support from the OVC SVAA Grant, the CJCC used VOCA approved training funds to partially support the costs of the Academy.  The GVAA was held at the University of Georgia?s Center for Continuing Education instead of the Georgia College and State University.  The Academy was moved from mid-June to late August.  New members were added to the Training Committee to represent other types of victim service agencies.  





Based on the evaluation completed after last year?s Academy and continued feedback from former attendees, the time frame was shortened and the format was changed substantially.  All attendees were required to complete the VAT On-Line prior to coming to the GVAA.  The subgrantees were divided into small groups and were assigned to work with one of the trainers.  Each small group worked through a case study featuring a different type of victimization.  All groups worked through the case study in the same stages, and reported back to the larger group the decisions made and actions taken as each case study unfolded and new information and developments occurred.  In addition to the case study work, all participants attended several lectures also designed to be more interactive than previous Academies.  The changes were positively received by attendees.  An evaluation including a pre-post test was conducted by PRE staff and showed statistically significant changes in knowledge and confidence in their abilities as a victim advocate.  There were 50 graduates from the GVAA who all received a certificate of completion.  





? Competitive Grant Application Process


The Council implemented its first peer-reviewed competitive grant process for VOCA and VAWA.  All programs were asked to volunteers and over 100 staff members responded to the call.  Approximately 75 program representatives participated in the peer review.  PRE and CJSI staff trained the peer reviewers and coordinated meetings of the peer reviewers to discuss the applications from mid-June through mid-August 2008.  Applicants were advised to prepare a completely new application, with expanded sections for problem statement, methods, and evaluation, including a logic model.  Although the Crime Victims? Assistance Committee decided not to revise the current funding recommendations for this year, under the economic situation, most applicants affirmed that the process of reviewing their current programs and preparing the new application had been a very helpful process, assisting them in thinking of some improvements and program changes. 


	


? SAA Training


The Council provided on-site training and technical assistance to subgrantees.  Training was offered on VOCA program guidelines, reimbursement procedures, and evaluation requirements.  Council staff provided a Grants Management Training workshop at the 2008 Annual Conference.  Additionally, Council staff provided technical assistance and conducted site visits to approximately 50 subgrantees during the reporting period.  Monitoring included a financial and an evaluation component.  





First, projects are evaluated to ensure financial compliance.  Experienced financial auditors review assigned projects on a monthly or quarterly basis to verify fiscal accountability.  Additionally, auditors check to confirm that costs charged to a project are appropriate, reasonable, and within the constraints of the approved budget.  This type of review allowed Council staff to establish sound knowledge of a project?s financial needs and resources, thus enabling staff to sufficiently monitor the project?s financial status throughout the grant period.  The second phase of the evaluation process involved determining whether projects funded under the VOCA Program were in compliance with programmatic guidelines.  This responsibility was performed by the Council?s Planner for Victim Services and consisted of reviewing the subgrantees? application, monitoring the project throughout the grant year, and evaluating quarterly and annual progress reports.





? Local Program Improvements


Subgrantees reported several different types of activities directed at improving the delivery of victim services, including sponsoring or attending meetings of victim service agencies, law enforcement, and other agencies to better coordinate victim services; attending training opportunities at the state and national level, including the Annual Victim Assistance Conference and the Georgia Victim Assistance Academy sponsored by the Council.

VIOLENT CRIME:


?South Georgia Judicial Circuit (VWAP)


A 13 year old girl received services from the South Georgia Judicial Circuit VWAP after having been brutally beaten by her mother?s  ex-boyfriend. Although the former boyfriend was out on bond and had been ordered to stay away from his former girlfriend and her place of residence he went to their home and attacked them. He used a rake to beat NAME?s mother to death and also beat Name who was able to escape. The victim services unit was notified after name was taken to the hospital. She had surgery for a cracked skull and severe damage to her face and body. After the family was notified one of the advocates picked the family up from the airport. The victim services unit was able to get help from the community with donations of personal items for NAME. An advocate participated in the custody hearing for NAME. Although DFCS recommended foster care NAME was placed in the home with her grandmother and father and is an honor roll student. The victim services unit will support NAME when she has to testify against him in court.





CHILD ABUSE:


?Clayton County Board of Commissioner?s CASA Program


There were two boys ages 7 and 9 years old who were found roaming the streets at 4 a.m. walking to school unsupervised. The boys revealed in a report that they are left at home alone at night while their mother is at work. Therefore they are left to care for themselves and prepare for school and prepare for school by themselves. It was discovered later that the children were kidnapped by their natural mother from the custody of their paternal aunt in another state. After receiving this information the CASA volunteer made immediate contact with the children?s school, provided assistance to DFCS with the collection of information on their paternal grandmother and the state courts from which they were kidnapped from. The mother was arrested on kidnapping charges and the children were placed with their paternal grandmother.


 


?Cherokee Child Advocacy Center Program (CAC) 


Client 1: A 7 year old girl was sexually abused by her 15 year old brother. After the girl told her parents about the abuse her parents reported this to DFCS. This incident was than reported to law enforcement by DFCS.  An investigation was conducted and the boy was charged.  The little girl could no longer live in the home because she felt like she had gotten him in trouble. Her parents were also stressed and began to question their decision to contact DFCS.  After a referral to the Advocacy Center the family worked with a therapist to gain a better understanding of sex offending and long-term benefits for the teenage boy.  The therapist also worked closely with the little girl to deal with the sexual abuse and her guilt.  (See attached letter) 





Client 2: A 9 year old girl was sexually molested by her friend?s father. The client told her mother after the second incident occurred.   The girl was upset and felt guilty about the situation. Her friend?s father was the alleged offender and had been arrested.  The mother and daughter were both referred to the Advocacy center for therapy.  This case is pending and the advocacy center is working with the client and her mother in gaining a better understanding of the criminal justice system in preparation for the upcoming trial.  (See attached letter) 








DOMESTIC VIOLENCE:


?The Haven (Battered Women?s Shelter/Sexual Assault Center):


Nine years ago, at 17, one of our clients moved in with her soon-to-be husband and his mother so she could serve as a live-in babysitter for her fiance?s  nieces and nephews.  She eventually married him.  She was not allowed to work or go anywhere.  She got pregnant during this time.  When the baby was 18 months old the client was leaving to go to the doctor and her mother-in-law would not allow her to take her baby with her.  While the client was at the doctor the police came and got her to take her home.  While she was away the mother-in-law had another son to watch the baby.  He allowed the baby to go into the backyard without proper attention and the baby fell into the coi pond and drowned.  She eventually had two more kids by her husband.  





There were 15 family members living in the house at the time.  Everyone that lived in the house had to give the mother-in-law their paychecks and income tax checks.  The client was eventually allowed to get a job driving school buses and became a paraprofessional in one of the schools. The client is now 26 years old.  She made her escape while the mother-in-law and husband was out of town. The client started by moving clothing little by little to a safe place and moving money a little at a time.  It took a month with just planning her escape from her home.  When she came into the shelter she eventually learned to buy her own clothing again.  She bought her own car.  She has since left the area and is doing really well.  Her divorce is pending and the judge upheld her TPO.  Our advocates helped with her transition from a confined life to freedom.    





?Georgia Mountain Women?s Center, Inc.


A 72 year old woman had suffered physical, verbal, and emotional abuse for 45 years.  She left the relationship back in the 1980?s and was unable to find any services offered to support her. She was tasked with being the sole caregiver and provider for her disabled son. She did not divorce her abuser during this time because she did not have the finances and her abuser threatened to have her son taken away from her if she divorced him. For 15 more years she continued to live with his harassment until her son passed away. She was referred to the Georgia Mountain Women?s Center 24 hour crisis line by the Sheriff?s Department. The crisis line directed her to the Circle of Hope?s White County Nonresidential advocate who assisted NAME with the paperwork for a TPO and seeing the judge for the ex parte hearing. During the second hearing she received a 12 month TOP order and the abuser was ordered to keep his distance from her. Funds were available through the agency to assist the client with a divorce which was finalized in February 2008. The client attends weekly support groups.  





?Family Counseling Center of Central Georgia:


We have had several cases where children have been removed by DFCS because the mother was a victim of domestic violence and she continued her relationship with the abuser which resulted in the children being placed out of the home because they either witness the abuse or were at risk of being abused. Through our VOCA counseling program, the mother was able to receive counseling which help her understand how to avoid being a domestic violence victim. As a result, the children were returned home. We are the only private non-profit counseling agency in our 11 county service area that receives VOCA funds to provide professional counseling services. 





SEXUAL ASSAULT:


?The Haven Battered Women?s Shelter/Sexual Assault Center:


A recent client is an inmate at a law enforcement facility.  She reported that she was sexually assaulted by a guard at the jail.  He removed her from her cell and took her to the jail's law library and forced her to into sexual intercourse.  After the assault was over the client stated she would report him to the authorities.  The perpetrator laughed and stated that they all stick together and nothing would be done nor would they believe her.  The client kept quiet and didn't report the assault for 27 days.  She missed her monthly cycle and became concerned that she was pregnant. This is when she decided to report the incident.  Her exam was completed at the local hospital, because of security reasons, by a SANE.  A week passed and the client requested our help in obtaining legal counsel to help make sure her civil rights were being protected and to see if the GA Bureau of Investigation was notified about the incident since it involved a guard and inmate.  Our agency is working to make sure all is done to help this client without putting her in harm?s way since she is still an inmate at the jail.





ELDER ABUSE:


?Georgia Legal Services Elder Abuse Program


A 71 year old female had three parcels of land for sale in which she was only interested in selling one parcel.  A potential buyer was interested in purchasing the parcel that was for sale and a portion of another parcel of land that was not for sale. The owner rejected this buyer?s offer. The buyer in turn hired a real estate agent to approach the owner with an offer from an undisclosed buyer.  The description of the offer included the parcel portion of the property that the owner was not interested in selling. In accepting the offer the owner and real estate agent were unaware of this because of the unclear description.  The owner cancelled the contract once the buyer demanded control of the property.  The buyer sued the owner and she in turn approached Georgia Legal Services.  After a lengthy discovery process and an appeal made to the Georgia Court of Appeals, it was rule that the client was within her right to cancel the contract and the buyer?s claim for specific performance was denied. 


 


?Hall County Sheriff?s Office VWAP


A 92 year old woman and her 52 year old, mildly retarded daughter were victims of adult abuse and were forced to live in a structure that was both unsafe and unsanitary. There was no running water nor toilet facilities in the facility. The VOCA funded HCSO V-W unit began an assistance and investigation program that spanned six months, acting as the "point-unit" for DFACS and Adult Protective Services, Division of Aging Services.  Because the V-W unit initiated and maintained the investigation, helping to direct the state units, the two women were afforded better living quarters and an on-going counseling regimen. They are now under constant-care to prevent additional Adult Abuse by family members (family members are now facing state charges).

The issue cited overwhelmingly by VOCA programs in Georgia is the effects of the economic downturn and accompanying loss of funding for victim assistance programs.  Programs reported that crime was up, especially property crime and family violence, but available resources were coming up short, as both government agencies and non-profit community-based organizations found shortfalls in their funding.  While no agency reported that they might shut down completely, several reported that they were having to cut back, either in services delivered or in the size of the service area covered.  Several domestic violence shelters noted an increased reluctance of some victims to leave their abusers because of the lack of jobs to support themselves independently.


	


Some Georgia counties have experience very rapid rates of population in the past ten years.  The economic downturn is contributing to difficulties in sustaining services.  Also, in many counties in the number of Hispanic victims of crime continues to increase but there are few if any linguistically and culturally appropriate resources available in the community to serve them. Many victims do not want to cooperate with law enforcement and prosecution because they fear deportation.  





Gang activity is increasing in some jurisdictions and is tied to drug-related and violent crime.





Some jurisdictions report problems with local law enforcement and judiciary.  Some law enforcement agencies automatically arrest both parties in domestic violence incidents, which affects the ability of victims to obtain services and victims? compensation funds.  Judicial officials fail to issue TPOs or divorce decrees in cases where child custody is also an issue.  Some law enforcement agencies do not enforce TPOs.





These specific examples below illustrate the themes described above: 





? Camden Community Crisis Center: 


We are seeing more clients from other areas. With the economic conditions, shelters are staying full so people from 3 or 4 counties away are coming here for shelter.  We also have clients longer due to the economic conditions.  Jobs are harder to find along with affordable low income housing.  The average client has 2.5 children so housing is difficult to find. 





? Flint Circuit Family Violence Council:


The economy seems to be affecting women who may be victims in some unexpected ways.  While it appears that violence in the home is on the rise, fewer women seem willing to leave the home.  They seem to fear the economic consequences of leaving an unemployed spouse with no hopes of employment themselves more than the next beating. There appears to be a trend towards weathering this economic storm with less hope of escape to something safer and better.





? Children?s Voice CASA:


There have been drastic cuts in funding that are impacting our young victims.  Mental health funding has been cut, community health programs have been cut, and DFCS' funding has been cut.  This leaves very few resources for our families in assisting them in working through their trauma, as well as assisting them in having their family remain intact.





? Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit VWAP: 


The current economic down slope and the narrowing availability of VOCA funding is taking its toll on agencies within our community.  Agencies that depend of VOCA and VAWA funding have recently been faced with the harsh reality of vanishing funds and are being forced to either find alternative funding sources or manage their current level of services on a diminished budget.  At the state level the government has required certain agencies (including District Attorney's Offices) to make sizeable cuts in their budgets to make up for funding deficits at the state level.  These budget cuts have forced our employees to take one unpaid furlough day each month.  





It is foreseeable that these budgetary restraints and the current economic down slope will have an impact on crime victim services in our area.  The economic decline in our area is causing some major employers to close their doors and leave hundreds of workers displaced.  While minimal at the current time there is a small increase of crimes involving theft of services.  When these major employers officially close their doors in the coming months there will be a foreseeable increase in these types of crimes.  One of the larger employers in the area will be closing its doors in November.  There will likely be an increase in crime with the hundreds of individuals within our community unemployed so close to the holiday season.





? Forsyth County Sheriff?s Office: 


Because our population has grown so rapidly in the last few years, the number of child physical abuse victims that we have assisted has doubled from the previous grant period, and the number of family violence victims we assisted rose 20%.  





We are also seeing a large increase in the amount of prescription drug abuse, most notably in our high schools, as well as heroin use.  This is in addition to the problem we have with methamphetamine use in our county which has greatly increased the number of family violence reports as well as property crimes such as entering autos and theft of copper and other construction materials to support a drug habit.  





? Crisp County Commissioners: 


An emerging issue in our area which is impacting crime victims is the rise of would be gangs and gang activities. Due to this activity we are seeing an influx in violent crimes committed by younger offenders, which often involve multiple victims.  Because of the nature of the crimes, many victims, especially peer victims of the offenders, are reluctant to cooperate with prosecution for fear of future attacks by the offenders. 





Due to the state of the economy, closing of companies and loss of jobs, we are seeing an increase in domestic violence cases.  Many of these cases begin with financial disputes which escalate to physical confrontations. Because of the underlying cause of the abuse, these victims are not willing to cooperate with prosecution of the offender and often refuse our services. Also we are seeing an increase in property thefts as well.  With many of the property thefts, the property is in turn sold to pawn shops in efforts to obtain money.





? Southern Judicial Circuit VWAP: 


We continue to deal with the rising incidences of gang activity or crimes committed by gang members.  The numbers of Armed Robberies, Aggravated Assaults and Murders have greatly increased.  Gang task forces have been formed to help understand the gang culture which will hopefully help combat the problem.  We have started some prevention measures by going into the schools (starting with middle school), to talk to the students about staying away from gangs and guns.  





? Cherokee Child Advocacy Council: 


Cherokee County is seeing an increasing number of Spanish speaking children and families who are alleged victims of crime.  The multidisciplinary team has identified and incorporated a culturally sensitive approach to investigating these cases; however, therapeutic intervention following investigation is problematic.  Spanish speaking therapists who specialize in child sexual abuse are few and far away which makes it difficult to ensure that the children and families get the services and assistance they need.  





? Decatur County Sheriff?s Office: The Hispanic population is growing in Decatur County and the language becomes a barrier for the victim and Law Enforcement.  Our Hispanic population continues to grow but we have had an influx of Creole, Haitian, and Guatemalans. The language barrier is a tremendous problem when dealing with these victims.





? HODAC, Inc: (CBO VWAP):


Houston County continues to acknowledge the influx of non-English speaking populations in our community and those entering into the legal system as victims and as defendants.  The growth rate for the Hispanic population in Houston County between 1990 and 2000 was a staggering 56.6%, faster than the growth rate for any other race (U.S. Census Bureau-2000).  Hodac has access to Language Line Services and has staff in the front office, Helpline, and victim services area to meet the needs of non-English speaking clients. 





? Partnership Against Domestic Violence: 


An issue that we are currently facing is getting law enforcement officers in every county to understand that they are responsible for honoring protective orders from county-to county. Additionally, not only can the local sheriff department serve protective orders but ANY law enforcement officer may serve the order.  The strict immigration approaches are interfering with victim's accessing services, prosecuting perpetrators, and living violence free. 





? Georgia Mountain Women?s Center: 


Judges are ordering joint custody in our domestic violence victims divorce cases.  Many women return to abuser before they will let abuser have access to their children.  No funds available for attorneys to represent victims in 2nd hearing of a TPO or for divorces.





? NOA?s Ark: 


In the past year, we have noticed an increased number of victims arrested by law enforcement as primary aggressors. NOA serves these victims and advocates with the District?s Attorney?s office and the Public Defender on their behalf. When victims are erroneously incarcerated, they are less likely to report incidents of domestic violence to law enforcement when they return to their abusers.





The issues of gun removal and Temporary Protective Orders (TPO) continue to be a concern.  Although some judges in our circuit order removal of weapons when they sign an ?ex-parte?, other judges continue to refuse to sign orders to remove weapons from abuser even after the second hearing of a TPO.

? VOCA administrative funds support staff in the Planning, Research, and Evaluation Section and in the Criminal Justice System Improvement Section who provide technical assistance and training to subgrantees, monitor fiscal and programmatic performance, and handle administrative tasks associated with the grant. Dedicated, trained staff improve the Council?s efforts to monitor, assist, and evaluate victim assistance programs in Georgia.





? In 2008, VOCA administrative funds continued to support the Council?s Victims Conference and the Georgia Victim Assistance Academy.  These efforts provide training from national and state recognized experts in the victim services field.