Victims For Justice announces new partnership with the Anchorage Police Department

by Merissa Pimenta | Apr 19, 2020 | Uncategorized

ANCHORAGE, AK – Victims For Justice (VFJ) and the Anchorage Police Department (APD) have entered into a collaboration with the goal of giving crime victims greater access to assistance directly following a violent incident.

The new approach is based on multidisciplinary models used in the lower 48 in which police officers reach out to individuals following a traumatic incident and refer to Advocates. VFJ Advocates specialize in providing information and resources, emotional and financial assistance, court accompaniment and education on the criminal justice process.

Executive Director at VFJ, Victoria Shanklin says this new victim-centered partnership will provide much-needed support to victims of violent crime. “It was clear that there was a gap in early intervention, which is a key component to assisting victims in their greatest time of need. Our hope is that this new collaboration will proactively take some of the burdens off of victims and provide support to assist Alaskans throughout the criminal justice process.”

“We frequently have contact with victims of violent crimes that have questions and need varying levels of support long after being victimized,” said Captain Sean Case with the Anchorage Police Department. “The advocates at Victims for Justice have always provided this support; however, accessing victims can be a challenge. The Anchorage Police Department wanted to be a critical link between victims and advocates. This partnership means our officers in the field will provide Advocates with contact information to those victims that want and need additional resources to assist them in overcoming their trauma.”

Since 1985, VFJ has been specializing in providing services to victims of violent crime such as arson, assault, DUI, homicide, kidnapping and robbery. VFJ Victim Advocates have over ten years of experience providing trauma-informed care as well as case management, referrals and follow-up. Given the need for services in our community, the APD-VFJ partnership is only natural.

If you’d like to learn more, please contact Communications and Development Specialist, Merissa Pimenta at mpimenta@victimsforjustice.org or 907-278-0977.

National Crime Victims’ Rights Week April 19-25, 2020

by Merissa Pimenta | Apr 17, 2020 | Uncategorized

Neighborhood Policing, is it in place in your community?

by Victims For Justice | Mar 12, 2020 | Uncategorized

In every neighborhood, there is risk someone will become a victim of a crime. According to recent Anchorage statistics, for years, property crime and theft have increased in suburban neighborhoods. While police are still the best deterrent, it is impossible for them to be in every neighborhood at all hours of the day. This is why some areas have turned to neighborhood watches to help fill in the gaps. Victims For Justice Intern, Taylor Marrufo, interviewed her local neighborhood watch to learn more about these programs and how they help community members feel safe and report suspicious activity. Here is what she learned:

• What is a neighborhood watch?

Neighborhood Crime Watch is a Crime Prevention Program of the Anchorage Police Department. It’s one the most effective and least expensive ways of reducing and/or preventing crimes in residential areas. This program is designed not only for citizens to help local police, but it also gives a sense of peace, safety, and security in the neighborhood. The program also helps to improve communications between neighbors by implementing an appropriate level of neighbor involvement to a point where burglaries and other property crimes can be prevented.

• What are the goals for having a neighborhood watch in your community?

1. Increase awareness of the crime of burglary and other property crimes.
2. Implement various safety and residential security strategies to make homes more secure and less likely to be targeted.
3. Help neighbors recognize signs of suspicious and criminal activity and how to properly report them to the police.

• How do we start a neighborhood watch?

The first thing people need to do is talk with their neighbors to find out who wants to be part of it. Neighbors will need to decide the boundaries of the watch area. It’s recommended each neighborhood should watch no more than 20 houses. After that, all neighbors need to have a one-hour meeting, at least once a week, to discuss any issues or news within their community. Afterwards, they would then report such activities to the police.

• For those who participate in the neighborhood watch, should they wear uniforms?

“I think everyone should wear a reflective vest. If it’s dark out, we won’t be able to see if it’s one of our neighbors or someone else.”  – Robert N.

• If there is suspicious activity on your street, do you want to confront the situation?

“No. I think the police should stick with that. If there was something going on in the neighborhood, I would feel more comfortable if the police handled it. Plus, if the person has a gun, then I definitely want the police to be here.” – Scott L.  

• For those who are patrolling, do you want them to inform you beforehand?

“I don’t think that’s necessary. There’s a lot of us on our street. It would be a waste of time if one person had to call everyone just to let them know they’ll be outside patrolling.”                – Spenard Resident     

• What changes do you want to make in the neighborhood watch?

“To be honest, I don’t know if there should be any changes to the neighborhood watch. We’re still kind of new to this, but I think it’s been successful. Everyone feels safer knowing others are keeping an eye on the neighborhood.” – Jewel Lake Resident

The main goal for having a neighborhood watch is to help keep you and your neighbors safe. Although the police are there to help patrol and keep everyone safe, they can’t be in every single neighborhood all day, every day. With the help of all neighbors, anyone can report suspicious activity and the police will be on route to keep the public safe.

By: Taylor Marrufo

Prevention: Student Identification and Resolution of Issues Together (SPIRIT)

by Merissa Pimenta | Feb 14, 2020 | Uncategorized

The Community Relations Service (CRS) is a conciliation service with the U.S Department of Justice available to State and local officials to help resolve and prevent racial and ethnic conflict, violence and civil disorder. When governors, mayors, police chiefs, school superintendents and community organizations need help to defuse racial or ethnic crises, they turn to CRS.

It is important to mention that CRS is a third party which provides services upon request and that CRS does not have law enforcement authority and does not impose solutions, investigate or prosecutes cases, or assign blame or fault. CRS conciliators are required by law to conduct activities in confidence and are prohibited from disclosing confidential information.
CRS has helped schools to build strategies to improve lines of communication, establish programs to eliminate racial and ethnic misconceptions, and develop plans to prevent conflict and improve intergroup relations among students, faculty, staff, parents and community groups.

More than 15 years ago, a CRS conciliator recognized the value of student problem solving for racial issues and created the SPIRIT program. Since then, CRS has applied the principles of mediation, problem solving, and full engagement of the school community, to help improve the racial climate of schools. SPIRIT brings students, administrators, teachers, and parents together to identify issues, develop solutions, and take action on conflicts within their schools.

CRS was invited to facilitate the Student Problem Identification and Resolution of Issues Together (SPIRIT) program at South Anchorage High School. Approximately 85 students from diverse backgrounds were invited to be a part of the two half-day duration of the program along with 10 facilitators (former teachers, non-profit employees, members of the community, VFJ staff member).
You might be wondering what the benefits of this program are. One of the biggest things the SPIRIT Program helps students realize, is they have the power to identify and solve problems. Not only do they realize that amongst their diverse backgrounds they may face different issues, but they discover commonalities.

Day 1 of the SPIRIT Program: Students met with facilitators in separate homogeneous breakout groups to name issues and elect representatives from each group to be on the SPIRIT Student Advisory Team. This is a very big moment for students, as they have to have uncomfortable conversations about tensions in the school. In the second half of the day, all students listen to reports on issues from each group and vote on priority issues. This is where they have their “aha” moment and realize they have many commonalities and care for similar causes.

Day 2 of the SPIRIT Program: Students were presented with the voting results and then proceeded to meet in heterogeneous breakout groups and brainstorm on solutions. This is the part where students can be proactive and engage in problem solving. At the end of the day 2, all students report (staff may be present for support) on solutions and the SPIRIT Student Advisory Team is introduced.

If you are interested in the SPIRIT Program being conducted in your school, here are some of the prerequisites:
• The school staff must be willing to identify natural student leaders who will participate in the program for one half day for two consecutive days.
• The principal must agree to meet with the SPIRIT council on its work plan at least on a monthly basis.
• The faculty should be open to the SPIRIT program and the development of a student work plan. (CRS will brief the faculty before conducting the program).
• The school must identify and make available facilitators to assist in conducting the program.
• The program should be conducted “ideally” no later than February in the school year.
Call (202) 305-2935.

Community Relations Service, DOJ, https://www.justice.gov/crs/our-work/facilitation/school-spirit

A salute to 2020 from our Executive Director

by Suki | Jan 8, 2020 | Uncategorized

Dear Fellow Alaskan,

You have made a difference and are paving the way for essential changes in Alaska. As we begin a new year and a new decade, I want to show you the impacts your contributions have made, and share with you our goals for 2020. We here at Victims For Justice are incredibly appreciative for all your support and your investment in assisting Alaskans following a traumatic event.

                                     THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU HELPED TO ACCOMPLISH!

Below you will find some of the ways your funds supported Alaskans affected by violent crime. In 2019 Victims For Justice:
• Provided over $40,000 of emergency financial assistance to innocent Alaskans impacted by violence.
• Helped 100 victims gain access to counseling and/or funeral/burial services through resources provided by the Violent Crimes Compensation Board.
• Provided personalized court accompaniment by an advocate in over 40 criminal cases.
• Collaborated with the Anchorage Police Departments to better serve ALL victims of violent crime through increased outreach and referrals.
• Held a monthly Homicide Survivor Grief Group with victims from all over the State calling in.
• Started a “Victim Voices” section on our website providing clients the opportunity to share their stories and personally amplify their voices.

                                                                     The road ahead…
Unfortunately, as we all know, there is still a long road ahead and a lot of work still needs to be done to effectively and equitably reduce violence in our communities. This is why in 2020 we intend to focus on:
• Increasing partnerships with law enforcement and legal services so that ALL victims have a resource dedicated to their needs at EVERY stage in the criminal justice process. MORE DETAILS TO COME ON THIS SO STAY TUNED!
• Being a participant in the Alaska Criminal Justice Commissions’ Victim Services Workgroup to ensure victims to have a voice at the table as policy makers create new legislation surrounding criminal justice reform.
• Offer advanced training throughout the State specifically related to increasing access to support through the Violent Crime Compensation Board.
Once again, these accomplishments, as well as our future successes are thanks to the partnerships and support we receive from you. Thank you for making a difference!

Victoria Shanklin
Executive Director

P.S. It’s getting to be tax time again!
Don’t forget your donation is 100% tax deductible!
Our EIN is: 92-0110889!