Victim Witness Advocacy
(609) 909-7850
The Atlantic County Office of Victim Witness Advocacy is a unit within the Prosecutor's Office established to offer social service assistance and case information and advocacy to victims of crime. The unit has a trained victim counseling staff available to aid victims with problems created by their victimization.
One of the goals of the unit is to inform victims of their rights within the criminal justice system, and to encourage them to participate in their cases by attending court proceedings. The counselor provides support throughout all of the court proceedings, and helps the victim prepare their Victim Impact Statement, which is used by assistant prosecutors in plea negotiations and by the judge at the time of sentencing. The counseling staff also provides transportation to court, and assists with child care needs on a limited basis.
The unit also furnishes case information to victims through a series of letters. Victims of crime are provided with case information from the time the case is opened through sentencing. The unit also provides information about parole hearings and informs the victim when the defendant is released from prison.
The counselors are trained to provide crisis intervention counseling, with the goal of referring victims to full- time counselors. The unit networks with local mental health and social service providers to offer victims of crime an extensive support system. The unit also arranges free therapy for child abuse and domestic violence victims through the Family Service Association. The unit encourages victims of violent crime to apply for compensation for their out-of-pocket medical, counseling, and funeral expenses through the Victims of Crime Compensation Board. Victim counselors assist victims with their applications, and advocate on their behalf with the Board to facilitate payment.
The unit also works closely with certain victims of aggravated assault and sexual assault who request to have the suspect arrested in their cases tested for HIV. In certain cases, victims of these offenders have the right to request that the defendant be tested for HIV infection. The results are kept confidential and are not made a part of the criminal case.
The unit is involved in facilitating the Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) for child abuse victims. The MDT Coordinator, who is also a Victim Counselor, schedules two meetings a month with representatives of the Division of Youth and Family Services, assistant prosecutors, police personnel, mental health professionals and medical professionals involved in the investigation of child abuse cases. The team reviews child abuse cases shared between DYFS and the Prosecutor's Office, detailing investigative information to ensure that the victim is receiving the appropriate social service assistance and support.
Annually, the unit co-sponsors a free, one-day seminar and luncheon during Crime Victims' Rights Week. Approximately 500 victims of crime, law enforcement officers, and social service providers attend the event to listen to speakers talk about current victim issues and trends.