Wednesday, June 20, 2001
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Wednesday, June 20, 2001 |
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Helping victims take bite out of crime nets statewide award for DA's office By JOHN
MUNFORD
Prosecuting criminals isn't the only service offered to crime victims at the local district attorney's office. The Victim Witness Assistance program at the Fayette County district attorney's office assists victims in a variety of ways that have netted the first-ever prosecutor's Eagle Award by the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council. Many similar programs stick to the basics keeping victims informed of the case's progress in the court system. But throughout the Griffin Judicial Circuit, the local program goes the extra mile. In some cases, victim advocates respond to the crime scene to provide immediate assistance, such as finding a place for a family to stay the night and insuring appropriate medical attention is sought for victims who otherwise couldn't afford it. In those first meetings, the victim often provides information that is passed on to law enforcement to help in the investigation of the case, said Michelle Ivey, director of the program. "A lot of times they tell us about things they don't think to tell the investigators," Ivey said. Contact with crime victims is maintained throughout and beyond the outcome of the criminal case, Ivey said. For instance, she said, a Fayette woman reported that she kept seeing her attacker around town even though he was sent to prison. A victim's advocate contacted the prison the offender was sent to and the warden had an employee physically check to make sure the offender was still incarcerated, Ivey said. "It let her know so she could sleep that night," she added. District Attorney Bill McBroom said the program has also been used to fly in the relatives of a murder victim who lived out-of-state so they could watch the court proceedings here in Fayette. He was quick to add that the program can't meet the wishes of some victims. "Some of them would have you hang them up by the courthouse square," Ivey said. The program has paid for victims to attend counseling sessions; to have locks changed on their home so violent relatives can't get back in; and even for a new set of sheets for a rape victim whose only bed sheets were taken into evidence to help prosecute the offender. The funds have also been used to buy new eyeglasses for one victim who was shot in the head several times and survived. Her spectacles were broken in the attack, McBroom said. The program also picks up witnesses who don't have transportation so they can testify in court. Also, office employees babysit the children of witnesses who can't afford to pay for child care, McBroom said. The program allows the attorneys to concentrate more on their work while the victim advocates can focus on keeping the victims up to date, he added. Even after the court case is over, the advocates stay in touch with victims, letting them know when the offender is released from prison, Ivey said. In one case, the advocates helped change a Georgia law to protect others from being victimized in the future, McBroom recalled. In 1999, state Rep. Kathy Cox of Fayette County arranged for a local crime victim to testify before a house subcommittee to create a penalty for adults who make obscene telephone calls to children. Investigators who worked the case and other officials involved also testified during the hearing, McBroom said. The law, which became effective July 1, 2000, forbids such offenders from simply paying a fine. If the judge doesn't hand down a probation sentence, the offender must be incarcerated. The first offense is considered a misdemeanor and further offenses are labeled felonies. Also, funds from the program are used to train local police officers on techniques such as investigating domestic violence and identity fraud cases, McBroom added. In the recent identity fraud seminar, officers were taught how to help victims restore their credit, he said. Since the victim witness assistance program is funded with a federal grant and through local court fines, it doesn't cost local taxpayers, McBroom added. The state of Georgia created the victim witness program but doesn't fund it, leaving many programs staffed largely by volunteers. Although McBroom was the one presented the award recognizing the victim witness program, he insists his staff deserves all the credit. Ivey is one of three full-time victim advocates, including Consuella Brown and Karen Raines. Two part-time advocates also help out from time to time, McBroom said. Although the award is appreciated, McBroom said he felt really proud when a fellow district attorney met with him after the ceremony and asked about how to implement some of the program's characteristics. "I really thought that was a wonderful compliment," he said.
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