OVC FY20 Law Enforcement-Based Victim Specialist Program

This grant award made to the ND Office of Attorney General, is funded under OVC FY 2020 Law Enforcement-Based Victim Specialist Program, Purpose Area 1: Small-Agency, which is designed to develop or enhance and sustain crime victim specialist programs within law enforcement agencies and better coordinate services to victims to more quickly and more effectively serve the victim assistance and compensation needs of all crime victims and inform them of their rights as crime victims. The grantee will employ two Victim Witness Specialists to connect primary and secondary rural victims with access to services throughout the legal process. Under this program, NDBCI will enhance victim- centered investigations. NDBCI will hire two "temp" Victim Witness Specialists who will combine knowledge of the criminal justice system along with expe1tise in provision of victim services and act as liaisons between victims and law enforcement, prosecutors, and other court staff. The Specialists will work through crisis situations with a goal of victim safety and defendant accountability.