Witness Justice’s advocacy program focuses on the gaps in services felt by survivors of violence and trauma throughout the United States.
On-going initiatives include fostering trauma education and awareness; address trauma-specific concerns (i.e. veterans, domestic violence, survivors of disaster), and meeting the needs of survivors with mental illness or disabilities. Some of our advocacy focus issues include: veterans and family violence; establishing a national crime reporting system/protocol for times of emergency or natural disaster; creating an evidence and data preservation/evacuation plan; improving and coordinating interagency crisis communications and collaboration (at the federal level); and streamlining mass communications to better inform and bring service providers together in times of national emergency.
Witness Justice is a member of the Mental Health Liaison Group, serves on the Crime Victim’s Rights Caucus Advisory Group, and participates in the Veteran’s Health Council.
An important new area of concentration for advocacy emerged during 2007. As the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq rage on and more and more of our service people are called to duty (many for more than one tour), it has become graphically clear that there is an overwhelming need to acknowledge and address the impact that this trauma is having on our service men and women as well as their families (due to the alarming rise in domestic violence for returning veterans). The recognition of the need for advocacy and the development of key alliances have set the stage for what will be a major focus in 2008.
Notably, in the fall of 2007 Witness Justice was asked to join the Veteran’s Health Advisory Council.
Late in the fall of 2007 Witness Justice released the findings of an employment survey revealing that a large majority of trauma survivors experience substantial workplace problems in the aftermath of violence. More than half of the respondents switched jobs or careers within two years of the event, with 85 percent citing the violence as a major factor in the job change. The financial impact to the corporation and the nation’s economy is staggering. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, decreased productivity due to violence-related trauma accounts to about $64.4 billion annually, in addition to $5.6 billion in medical expenses. Witness Justice continues to advocate for better workplace knowledge of victim and trauma-related issues that can have an economic impact on the survivor, employer, and community.
National Crime Reporting System/Protocol
On October 7, 2005 Witness Justice initiated a conference call of national leaders to discuss the crime reporting issue with key federal legislators and national service provider representatives. During that call there was consensus that Hurricane Katrina revealed crime victimization as an emergency preparedness and response issue. It was similarly agreed that the lack of any means by which to report crimes during such crises – especially when survivors are displaced out of jurisdiction – poses a significant problem for victims and communities. Call participants also acknowledged that, due in large part to the lack of a national emergency crime reporting procedure, the precise nature and extent of crime in the aftermath of Katrina is not known, and likely will never be known. This remains a significant problem and violation of core victim rights that Witness Justice continues to advocate on.
While Witness Justice’s advocacy frequently focuses on federal initiatives that will have the most profound impact on victim rights and services, we also utilize alternate venues to advocate for a cause.
Advocacy Endorsements
Witness Justice’s trauma education and awareness advocacy have been endorsed by a wide range of prominent leaders in the fields of victim assistance, mental health, law enforcement, criminal justice, domestic violence, elder abuse, crisis response, and education. A number of federal legislators and leading professional and service organizations – including the Campaign for Mental Health Reform – have also endorsed our work.
Education has always been a part of what Witness Justice does. Whether we are hosting a briefing on the Hill or responding to a victim’s inquiry, educating is a major component. Additionally, we have had a number of initiatives directed at educating the public about a variety of topics, frequently these are in the form of information available on our website or in brochures and print materials. 2007 saw both the expansion of education specific programs and initiatives, and the methods used to educate.
OVW Technical Assistance Grant
In the early fall of 2007 the U.S. Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women, awarded Witness Justice a two year technical assistance contract to address critical and emerging issues related to domestic violence service provision and prevention through the development, application, and administration of an e-learning facility. This free on-line learning tool will offer three courses on domestic violence related subjects as well as an interactive forum to share information and ideas with domestic violence service providers throughout the United States.
National Center for Trauma-Informed Care
In March of 2007 the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services—in collaboration with Witness Justice and others—launched the National Center for Trauma-Informed Care (NCTIC). Witness Justice is also the managing partner in charge of education and outreach for NCTIC.
Trauma Education and Awareness Campaign
The Trauma Education and Awareness Campaign, initiated in 2007, will be a three year program recognizing that trauma, especially when experienced in early childhood, can impact many aspects of someone’s life and health (mental and physical). This initiative is designed to help individuals and families understand trauma and recognize unhealthy coping mechanisms (e.g. substance abuse, alcohol abuse, self-injury, etc.) and to find a path to healing. A secondary goal (though no less important) is to educate and raise awareness among service providers to provide a clearer understanding (and subsequently better treatment) of the interrelation between trauma and a variety of health and mental health concerns.
Service Provider Training and Technical Assistance
Witness Justice offers service provider training and technical assistance to facilitate the implementation of trauma-informed programs, services, and systems into common practice. Realizing that trauma is a significant public health concern, Witness Justice assists service providers in taking the initiative to integrate trauma-informed practices into their programs and services.
This past year, Witness Justice created V-Training.org. This webinar based program allows us to combine our training and education services with the technology of the web, effectively letting us bring our training and education services to anyone without losing the benefits of the “live” interaction while providing a more cost-effective, accessible solution. Further, this allows us to expand our education and training services through the inclusion of expert speakers in different subject areas without the costs and logistical issues. For those we train, we have eliminated much of the cost and logistical issues.
Professional Consulting Program
Witness Justice provides award winning marketing and public relations consultation to advance victims’ rights, improve victim services, and raise awareness of the nature and impact of trauma.
Witness Justice found its roots early on by providing direct assistance to victims of violence and while we have grown and expanded beyond that, direct assistance has remained an integral component of what we do.
Direct Assistance for Survivors and Other Concerned Individuals
As an organization established by survivors for survivors, one of our core programs is providing direct assistance for victims, loved ones, employers, advocates, and other service providers. Almost all services are provided in a virtual environment, either by telephone or via the Internet, which provides victims and others with a unique opportunity to tap in to the experience and expertise of hundreds of licensed and accredited, experienced expert volunteers to answer specific inquiries related to law enforcement, criminal justice, healing from trauma, mental health, and other issues—all while retaining their anonymity, if they so choose. Since Witness Justice does not want to duplicate existing services, we do not provide hotline or crisis intervention services. Rather, we provide personalized expert responses—often developed with the help of numerous different types of experts—to empower victims with information and options.
BlueSpace
BlueSpace, a healing arts program currently in development, represents an integrated approach focusing on mind, body, and spirit that promotes healing and connection with trauma survivors. Marketed in an intentionally vague way, BlueSpace is promoted as a series of healing arts workshops – not as victim service, mental health, or other “labeling” programs. The free workshops focus around healing arts such as music interpretation, photography, creative writing, theater, healthy cooking, pottery, painting, song writing, and more – using the practice of learning and creative means of expression through art as a means of reaching those who might not otherwise reach out for traditional programs and services.
Participants have an opportunity to learn and explore and a chance to build sustaining relationships (i.e. peer support) and trust with other survivors and community leaders, and in the process, they find paths to healing and wellness.
The reference to “BlueSpace” is intended to connote a non-threatening social gathering where one can be refreshed, feel at peace, find safety, and breathe; it is used in the context of this program to convey warmth, openness, and peace. BlueSpace is a highly adaptable model (WJ is working on adaptations for veterans and family members and domestic violence survivors) that can be used in a variety of community settings.
As one of our founding programs, the Witness Justice Expert Corps of Volunteers offers victims access to leading national experts ranging from sleep researchers who specialize in trauma, to relationship experts, to state attorneys and security specialists. Realizing that many survivors who come to Witness Justice for help may be struggling emotionally and economically, we rely on the Expert Corps of Volunteers when difficult and unusual questions and problems arise. These volunteers offer suggestions, resources, and other useful tools through a flexible and rewarding virtual volunteer program in which even the busiest experts can participate.
National Prayer Group for Survivors and Allies
The National Prayer Group for Survivors was established in 2006, during National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, to provide victims an opportunity to share prayer concerns and engage faith communities and volunteers in offering support through prayer. This is a multi-faith effort to foster positive prayer and meditation to fulfill a need expressed by so many survivors. The group is composed of volunteers from Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Jewish, Buddhist, and other faiths who have come together to respond to prayer requests from survivors, family members, friends, service providers, first responders, and other concerned individuals.
Witness JusticeTM
P.O. Box 475, Frederick, MD 21705-0475
Ph: 301-846-9110 or 800-4WJ-HELP Fax: 301-846-9113
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