Improving Access to Victim Services

By Senator Roderick D. Wright (D-South Los Angeles)

Last year I was proud to author Senate Bill 1299, a measure designed to simplify the administration of crime victim compensation program in California. Our hope was to help create an efficient system to ensure that those who have already been victims in their lives are not revictimized by the state, being made to jump through hoops to get the counseling and compensation they need and rightfully deserve.

The bill sailed out of both houses without a single "no" vote.

I am happy to say this was a cause the often-divided Legislature was able to rally around in a bipartisan fashion, as the bill sailed out of both houses without a single “no” vote.

Developed in cooperation with victim support groups and the Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board, SB 1299 makes several important changes in the administration of compensation for crime victims.

First, it clarifies the law to specifically allow for a social worker to file on behalf of a victim of child abuse or elder abuse who is unable to file on his or her own. It also allows for-profit providers to provide mental health services to victims and adds mental health care to the list of services for which the Board will reimburse costs within 90 days of a claim.

SB 1299 increased the CalVCP application filing period threefold.

Perhaps most importantly, SB 1299 extends the filing period to submit a victim compensation application. Victims previously had one year from the date of the crime, the date they turned 18, or the date that -- through ordinary diligence – they could have discovered an injury or death had been sustained as a result of the crime to file a claim. Under this bill, they now have three years.

It is amazing how quickly a year can pass by as you deal with trauma and complex emotions in the immediate aftermath of a crime, meaning those most in need of these services are the same people who could miss the opportunity to file for redress under the previous shorter deadline.

My thanks to the VCGCB, Crime Victims United of California and our many partners for working with me to remove obstacles to needed care for California crime victims. It is my great hope that our compensation system will become a model of fairness and excellence which is replicated nationwide.

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Senator Roderick D. Wright was elected to the California State Senate in 2008, representing what was then the 25th District, and re-elected in 2012 to the 35th District. Senator Wright was appointed to chair the Governmental Organization Committee and has been recognized for his work in the areas of public safety, education, energy and utilities, small business, family law and consumer privacy. He has also been voted legislator of the year by the County of Los Angeles, the California Small Business Association, the Municipal Power Association and the California Probation Officers Association.

Victims Have Rights, Too!

By Kimberly Buchholz and Mariam El-Menshawi, Directors of the Victims of Crime Resource Center

California victims of crime are underserved. Too often, victims are unaware of their rights, the methods of exercising those rights, and the locations of services available to them at the state and community levels. Concern for the plight of victims by the state legislature, local governments, and private organizations has increased both awareness of, and ready access to, much-needed assistance for crime victims. Nevertheless, when people become victimized by crime they are often unaware of their rights, and are unfamiliar with the services that are available to them to help address the trauma and cost of victimization. Since the passage of Proposition 9, also known as Marsy’s Law, in 2008, it is even more critical that victims are made aware of their rights. The novel nature of Marsy’s Law has required victim service providers to seek assistance with legal issues.

Through its toll-free 1-800-VICTIMS phone number, victims who might otherwise go unserved can learn of their legal rights and access valuable programs and community resources.

The Victims of Crime Resource Center thus fills an important role. Through its toll-free 1-800-VICTIMS phone number, victims who might otherwise go unserved can learn of their legal rights and access valuable programs and community resources. The Center provides victims with free legal information for ensuring better access to the criminal and juvenile justice systems. The Center also offers free legal research to victim service providers. In addition to the 1-800-VICTIMS line, the Center operates the www.1800VICTIMS.org website. The website includes up-to-date information on statewide victims’ rights issues, legal matters, and a myriad of victims’ rights publications. Additionally, the website contains a comprehensive statewide list of referrals to local resources. These include victims’ assistance resources, including legal and medical services, domestic violence shelters, financial assistance, counseling services, and victims’ support groups.

As part of our “Know Your Rights” campaign, the Center conducts regular presentations for the Sacramento Food Bank, the Mexican Consulate, domestic violence shelters, and local schools. The Center educates the community on everything from Marsy’s Law to identity theft to domestic violence to cyber bullying. The Center’s goal is to not only prevent victimization, but also to raise awareness that all victims in California have rights in our criminal and juvenile justice systems.

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Kimberly Buchholz (right) and Mariam El-Menshawi direct the Victims of Crime Resource Center, operating since 1984 at the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law in Sacramento. In addition to operating the toll-free 1-800-VICTIMS phone line and www.1800VICTIMS.org, the Center also provides free legal representation to victims whose cases are located in Sacramento County. The Center is a project of the California Emergency Management Agency

The Reality of Teen Dating Violence

By Julie Nauman, VCGCB Executive Officer

43% of College Women Experience
Violence and Abusive Dating Behaviors.

Source: 2011 College Dating Violence
and Abuse Poll  Love is Respect.org

According to a national survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in 10 teenagers admitted to being physically hurt by a dating partner. This is a disturbing statistic that must be addressed. As we observe the third annual National Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, we are dedicated to raising awareness of this critical issue and promoting programs that help prevent it.

Teen victims are at a higher risk for substance abuse, getting poor results in school, eating disorders and even attempts of suicide. Additionally, teens who are abused by their partners are more likely to be victimized in future relationships. Types of abuse include electronic, emotional, physical and sexual.

Awareness is a main factor in prevention. If you are a friend or family member of a teen, encourage him or her to be open about relationships and dating. Make sure he or she knows the difference between healthy and unhealthy relationships. Teens cannot be allowed to think that violence is normal.

Learn the difference between healthy and unhealthy relationships. Teens cannot be allowed to think that violence is normal.

In addition, pay attention to signs of abuse. Teen victims of abuse may act depressed or fearful, become isolated from friends and family or develop unexplained injuries. Perpetrators may exhibit traits that lead them to be violent, such as moodiness, anger management issues, lack of parental supervision and use of alcohol or drugs.

If you know a teen that is being victimized by dating violence, encourage him or her to get help. LoveisRespect.org offers a 24-hour support line for questions and help regarding teen dating violence.

There are many opportunities for you take action in preventing teen dating violence this month. Learn more at TeenDVmonth.org.

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Julie Nauman is the Executive Officer for the Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board (VCGCB). VCGCB provides compensation for victims of violent crime and helps to resolve claims against the State.

Leaders Collaborate to Provide Hope and Healing to Victims of Human Trafficking

By Julie Nauman, VCGCB Executive Officer

I am pleased to be joining Courage Worldwide Founder and CEO Jenny Williamson, along with Sacramento County District Attorney Jan Scully, FBI Innocence Lost Task Force Supervisory Special Agent Mike Rayfield, Sacramento County Sheriff Scott Jones, and others this afternoon to share our dedication to fight human trafficking by putting criminals behind bars, working to find an end to these crimes, and providing healing services to survivors.

Victims of trafficking can often be mistaken as willing participants, but that is simply not true. Force, cohersion, manipulation, fear and false love encroach upon victims and can force them into something in which they never wanted to take part.

This afternoon I will share CalVCP’s steadfast effort to provide much needed assistance to survivors through financial assistance for mental health counseling, relocation and medical services. Teams from Sacramento, Denver, Las Vegas, and Washington DC will present on The Anatomy of a Case (featuring a survivor and key witness in a trafficking prosecution), Victim Centered Investigations, Profile of a Victim & Redefining Success with This Population, and Women Trafficking Women.

The informative training will further educate our California partners including first responders, prosecutors, attorneys, judges and probations officers about the true ugliness of human trafficking and will look to strengthen our combined resources to provide survivors with the hope and healing they need.

I am honored to work in a state dedicated to educate, equip and empower its leaders and community members to make a tangible difference in the lives of voiceless victims.

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Julie Nauman is the Executive Officer for the Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board (VCGCB). VCGCB provides compensation for victims of violent crime and helps to resolve claims against the State.

Enslaved Californians: The Fight Against Human Trafficking

By Michael Ramos, San Bernardino County District Attorney and Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board Member

To view a trailer for the documentary, please visit the San Bernardino County District Attorney YouTube Channel.

For some time, there has been the misconception that human trafficking is an evil that only happens in faraway countries; but make no mistake, it is happening right here in our own county and across our nation. Last week, following the premiere of a short documentary our office produced, we took significant steps and strengthened existing partnerships to send the message that if you commit this horrendous crime in our county you will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.

Part of my plan includes the creation of a Human Trafficking Vertical Prosecution Unit, providing training and outreach to teachers and students, and releasing the names and photos of those convicted of solicitation of prostitution.

DA Ramos and VCGCB Executive Officer Julie Nauman discuss the harsh realities of human trafficking with KPCC radio.

Our battle against human trafficking started in 2009 when my office took a leadership role to respond to this problem and created the county’s Coalition Against Sexual Exploitation (CASE). Thanks to the hard work of all our partners involved in CASE, we have made significant strides by changing the way we as a legal community look at victims of human trafficking. It used to be that victims lured into prostitution were viewed as criminals. Fortunately, those perceptions are changing.

One of the difficult aspects of identifying victims of human trafficking is the underground nature of the crime itself, fueled in part by the prevalence of the Internet and social media. For example, in 2012, 338 prostitution-related cases were filed in San Bernardino County, the majority of which were the result of proactive sting operations conducted by those law enforcement agencies with known prostitution tracks in their jurisdiction. An additional 27 cases involved minors. While this number includes those soliciting sex and those offering sexual services, it's important to point out that it only denotes those who were caught and subsequently arrested.

The CASE banner, displayed at the Teenage $ex 4 Sale documentary premiere.

The number of pimping cases is even smaller. Last year, 15 cases related to pimping and pandering were filed. But we know the problem is bigger—much bigger. The low risks and potential for high profits associated with trafficking are steering criminals away from smuggling drugs and guns, which are generally riskier pursuits. Simply put, from the standpoint of these monsters, why run drugs and guns, a one-time deal, when they can use a trafficked victim over and over? In the eyes of the traffickers, these victims are nothing more than a reusable commodity.

Fortunately, when we are able to rescue the victims, there are services and support made available through the California Victim Compensation Program (CalVCP). Through this fund, we are able to assist victims with health issues related to being sexually brutalized and/or assaulted. In many cases, funds may be available for medical and hospital expenses, relocation, dental work, mental health counseling, and physical therapy. I have been a board member with VCGCB for the last eight years, and one of the great things I have come to appreciate about this fund is that it is paid for by restitution fines levied on criminal defendants—not one cent is taken from taxpayer dollars. As we move forward with a deeper understanding of human trafficking and how it negatively affects our children and our communities, it is important to remember that this is outright modern day slavery, and I look forward to serving our victims and bringing the perpetrators who commit these terrible crimes to justice.

Learn more about the Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit on our website.

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For the past eleven years, Michael Ramos has served as San Bernardino County District Attorney. During this time, he has fought corruption and made victims' rights, public safety, and anti-gang programs the cornerstone of his office.

In 2011, Governor Jerry Brown appointed District Attorney Ramos to the Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission (POST), which was established by the Legislature in 1959 to set minimum selection and training standards for California law enforcement. District Attorney Ramos is also member of the California Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board and represents the State of California on the National District Attorneys Association Board of Directors where he serves as co-chair of the committee for corrections and prison re-entry.

Bringing Awareness to the Prevalence and Danger of Stalking

This month, the California Victim Compensation Program (CalVCP) joined with law enforcement and national organizations to observe National Stalking Awareness Month. Stalking isn’t simply unwanted attention; it’s a serious crime that affects an estimated 6.6 million Americans each year. 1 in 6 women and 1 in 19 men become victims of stalking at some point during their lifetime. Victims of stalking may be threatened, fear for their safety and suffer violence as a result of the harassment.

California law defines stalking as willful, malicious and repeated following or harassing, and making a credible threat to the safety of another person. Stalking can include:

• Repeated phone calls or hang-ups
• Unwanted letters, emails, text messages or gifts
• Following you or showing up unexpectedly where you are
• Threatening to harm you, your property, family members or pets
• Using technology to track you or access your records or private information

It’s important to report all incidents of stalking to law enforcement. Don’t downplay stalking incidents; if you feel like you’re unsafe, then you may be in danger.

Contact local law enforcement immediately if you or someone you know is being stalked. Far too often these threats can escalate into physical assault or homicide. Studies have shown that for 76% of women killed by an intimate partner, stalking was a precursor to the violence. It’s important to report all incidents of stalking to law enforcement. Don’t downplay stalking incidents; if you feel like you’re unsafe, then you may be in danger.

Stalking crimes have a large impact on our society and on victims. Victims of stalking usually need ongoing mental health treatment to cope with victimization. Anxiety, insomnia, social dysfunction, and severe depression are much higher among stalking victims. There is help to create a safety plan, get mental health help and begin the recovery process. By raising awareness of stalking, it is our hope that we can help victims to take steps to ensure safety, prevent violence and aid in the recovery process.

Resources for Getting Help!:

• If you’re in immediate danger, call 911 
• Contact a local victim advocate:
  Victim Witness Assistance Centers in California
• Create a safety plan:
  The Office of the Attorney General
• Financial assistance for crime-related costs:
  The California Victim Compensation Program, (CalVCP)
• Get a confidential address:
  Safe at Home, California Secretary of State
• More information on stalking awareness:
  the National Center for Victims of Crime’s Stalking Resource Center

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The California Victim Compensation Program (CalVCP) provides compensation for victims of violent crime. CalVCP provides eligible victims with reimbursement for many crime-related expenses. CalVCP funding comes from restitution paid by criminal offenders through fines, orders, penalty assessments and federal matching funds.

A Safe, Loving Home

By Jenny Williamson, CEO & Founder of Courage Worldwide

I live in a world where children are sold for sex. This fact broke my heart, but when I learned children were being sold for sex in my own backyard, I became angry and vowed to do something. So, I decided to learn everything I could about this issue. I read everything on the internet I could find on this evil called sex trafficking. I read the California State Report on Human Trafficking and called the author of the report to verify it was really happening here. I then called the Sacramento Police Department and asked just how bad the problem was. They introduced me to the FBI Innocence Lost Task Force, who told me they had recovered 125 children from the Sacramento area alone - to date that number is now close to 300. I asked what their greatest need was; they simply said "a home - these kids need a safe, loving home". I vowed to build one. That was in 2008.

Today Courage House, a home for children rescued from sex trafficking, has been open for eighteen months. Twenty-five children have called Courage House their home. Our youngest was twelve years old and our oldest seventeen. I have never been surrounded by so much pain. These children are truly victims of modern day slavery. Their needs are great, and we seek to meet them all at Courage House. Physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually; this evil affects every aspect of their young lives.

Being rescued is only the beginning of their journey. Providing them with an environment that is conducive to healing is vital, but tapping into their dreams is essential. And they do have dreams. They want to be doctors, lawyers, school teachers, moms and photographers, but first, they must do the hard work of confronting their past and their pain. This is not for the fainthearted. These young women are some of the most courageous individuals I have ever met. Two of our Courage Girls testified against their perpetrators in a court of law. I have never seen such a display of courage and grace. They were armed with people who believed in them and their future. They were armed with the truth that they were created on purpose for a purpose and they must fight for their destiny. And they did just that.

Courage House is a home not a program where young victims of sex trafficking can begin to realize that they have value. It is a place where they move from victim to victorious.

It was just a few years ago that I heard about human trafficking. Since then, my own life has changed, and I’ve been blessed to be able to change the lives of the 25 girls that have come through Courage House. I am just one person; so are you. What will you do?

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Jenny Williamson is the Founder and CEO of Courage Worldwide, an international, non-profit organization that builds homes for children rescued out of sex trafficking. These homes are called Courage House. Jenny and her organization have spearheaded a comprehensive program to assist in the rescue and restoration of these young, vulnerable victims and have done ground-breaking research regarding the complex trauma of sexual exploitation, best practice therapy models and the healing process. Courage Worldwide successfully operates two homes for rescued children – one in Northern California and one in Tanzania, Africa.

Due to her efforts, expertise and leadership across the nation, Jenny was awarded the FBI Director's 2010 Leadership Award, the 2011 Community Spirit Award by Sacramento's District Attorney, Jan Scully and the 2012 William Jessup University's prestigious Community Impact Award. Jenny was also invited to be part of the California Attorney General's Working Group on human trafficking as well as Shared Hope International's Practitioners Working Group for their National Colloquium in Washington, D.C. She is also a member of Abolition International Shelter Association's advisory board.