(Adapted from an article published in the OVS Outreach, Fall 2023 Newsletter.)
I didn’t know I was a victim of dating violence until 5 years after I was out of that relationship. It was the early 1990s. Google wasn’t around, OJ Simpson hadn’t happened, the Violence Against Women’s Act hadn’t been enacted, and Domestic Violence was still considered a shame not a crime. But the thing is, even if I had known I was a victim, I’m not sure I would have known who could assist and what help was available.
That’s part of the reason why I care so much about the Crime Victims Legal Network: We connect victims of crime to information, resources, and legal assistance – things that can be life-changing for someone who has survived crime.
The Crime Victims Legal Network (CVLN) came into being when the New York State Office of Victims Services (OVS), through a 2015 Office of Victims of Crime grant, partnered with Empire Justice Center, the Center for Human Services Research, and Pro Bono Net. Working with an Advisory Committee, in 2018, we launched NY Crime Victims Legal Help, an online resource to assist individuals who had civil legal needs that arose out of their crime victimization. Since then, all Victim Assistance Programs who provide legal services either directly or through a subcontract with a civil legal organization became partners of the CVLN and are listed in the Legal Help Directory as a “Top Result”, which lets crime victims know that help is available to them.
NY Crime Victims Legal Help has grown in usage and popularity. By October 2020, it had been accessed by over 6100 users in the previous 12 months; from 10/1/21 – 9/30/22, it had over 17,200 users, and this grant year (10/1/22-9/30/22) it was accessed by 22,149 users. In the last 9 months, the Legal Help Directory was accessed almost 6500 times, and our two newest features the Claim Navigator, which helps determine if and what claim a victim is eligible for, was used 872 times, and the Victim Compensation Guide, which helps claimants and advocates apply for compensation through the OVS Victim Services Portal, was viewed over 13,000 times.
The CVLN Team at Empire Justice Center has also been working to develop a community of practice for civil legal attorneys representing crime victims. We host a monthly forum specifically for OVS-funded attorneys and paralegals, offer at least 6 free webinars a year, staff the Advocate Gateway listserv, and provide technical assistance in the form of legal research and case consultation. From October 2020 through December 2023, we’ve conducted 26 webinars with 2,535 attendees. In that same period, we’ve responded to 260 requests for technical assistance from advocates and attorneys, and provided referral assistance to 152 crime victims who directly contacted us through the “Contact Us” page on the NY Crime Victims Legal Help website and through social media.
In an ideal world, there wouldn’t be a need for the CVLN and NY Crime Victims Legal Help. But until then, we are here, together, advocates and legal staff, to make a difference in the lives of those dealing with the aftermath of a crime.
Thank you for being a part of this network.