OVC Enhancing Law Enforcement Response to Victims Fellowship

Law enforcement personnel are uniquely exposed to a high proportion of individuals who are affected by criminal and traumatic events. Victims who engage with the justice system are often not prepared to navigate multiple complex processes. Law enforcement personnel are also uniquely positioned to provide victims’ rights information, help with exercising those rights, and provide referrals to crime victim compensation and other community services. While law enforcement practices have shifted through technological advancements and culture changes, interaction with victims remains a core component. Without victim engagement, the harms perpetrated in communities remain unknown and unaddressed. Victims who are supported and empowered are more likely to stay engaged with justice system stakeholders. This may lead to law enforcement’s ability to solve reported crimes, refer more investigations to prosecutors, and contribute to enhanced community safety.

    As OVC's Enhancing Law Enforcement Response to Victims (ELERV) Fellow, Amy Durall will leverage her existing professional networks, specific organizations and individuals who have committed their support for this initiative, and her extensive knowledge of OVC projects and core victim response concepts to identify ways in which OVC can promote the adoption of the ELERV strategy by law enforcement agencies, expand law enforcement-based victim services, and improve overall law enforcement response to victims.

Fellowship activities will include:

Monthly Learning Collaborations focused on the ELERV Strategy and Law Enforcement-Based Victim Services
Virtual Field Coaching – sessions for law enforcement agencies and OVC TTA providers on topics related to the ELERV Strategy, law enforcement-based victim services, and overall victim response efforts
Structured Knowledge Exchanges – listening sessions with law enforcement leaders, conference workshops, trainings, and events to address identified topics

Articles or publications on victim response efforts

    Multiple professional organizations have committed to augmenting Amy Durall’s efforts throughout this fellowship. These professional organizations include International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), National Criminal Justice Association (NCJA), North Carolina Victim Assistance Network (NCVAN), National Crime Victim Law Institute (NCVLI), National Policing Institute (NPI), and Research Triangle Institute International (RTI). Multiple subject matter experts have committed to supporting Amy Durall’s efforts throughout this fellowship. These professionals include law enforcement personnel, law enforcement-based victim services personnel, research personnel, an attorney, and a community advocate.

    All law enforcement agency personnel contribute to mitigating harm and improving outcomes for crime victims. Amy Durall stands ready to use her professional acumen to promote the adoption of the ELERV strategy, expand law enforcement-based victim services, and improve overall law enforcement response to victims.