The Essex County Office of Victim-Witness Advocacy was established by the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office in 1982 pursuant to New Jersey law requiring each county Victim-Witness Coordinator to implement and provide services to crime victims. The Office’s primary mission is to uphold the provisions of the New Jersey Constitution and state statutes that ensure crime victims are treated with dignity, compassion, and respect; informed and consulted regarding matters such as plea negotiations; and afforded the right to be heard throughout every stage of the criminal justice process.

The Essex County Office of Victim-Witness Advocacy assists victims and witnesses in addressing immediate life needs, especially for those who live in Essex County’s underserved communities who are disproportionately impacted by violent crime and economic hardship. The Office connects victims with resources for food, clothing, shelter, healthcare, employment, transportation, and childcare. Staff also assist victims and witnesses in coping with the psychological trauma associated with crime and facilitate referrals for professional counseling and support services as necessary. In addition, the Office helps individuals understand and exercise their rights within the criminal justice system through ongoing communication regarding case development and participation in legal proceedings.

The Office provides court accompaniment and escort services as appropriate, especially in cases involving intimidation or safety concerns. Staff also assist victims in obtaining financial compensation through insurance claims, restitution, and the Victims of Crime Compensation Board. Above all, the Office remains committed not only to the successful prosecution of offenders, but also to the overall well-being, safety, and recovery of victims and witnesses.

The Office of Victim-Witness Advocacy is staffed by highly trained professionals with extensive experience in crisis intervention, emergency assistance, and interpersonal violence. The staff includes a Victim-Witness Coordinator, Victim-Witness Counselors, and Clerical Assistants. The Coordinator meets bi-weekly with the counselors to review cases, assess progress, discuss and develop service plans to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations. The Office is supported in part through federal and State of New Jersey funding.

One of the Office’s cornerstone initiatives is the “Sanctuary”   program established in 2010 to provide culturally sensitive crisis intervention and support services to victims of domestic violence-related assault, sexual assault, child abuse, and domestic violence-related homicide. Sanctuary volunteers participate in an intensive 20-week training program consisting of weekly three-to-six-hour sessions that include role-playing exercises, case studies, simulations, field trips, court-watch activities, video presentations, and group discussions. Since its inception, the Sanctuary program has graduated more than 220 volunteers who are trained to provide immediate outreach, advocacy, and support services to victims and their children within 48-to-72-hours of an incident.

The Office has also expanded its formal relocation program, which provides protection and support to victims and witnesses who have been threatened, intimidated, or harassed for cooperating with law enforcement in organized crime, gang-related, and domestic violence investigations. Trained advocates connect survivors with social service agencies that provide emergency shelter, transitional and permanent housing, food, and clothing assistance. Advocates also collaborate closely with government and community organizations to help ensure that victims and witnesses are fully and successfully integrated into new living environments.

Staff members continue to enhance the Victim-Witness Advocacy Office’s portal on the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office’s general website. The interactive, user-friendly portal provides important information regarding amendments to the Crime Victims’ Bill of Rights, victim notification process, HIV/AIDS/Hepatitis C testing, the criminal justice process, domestic violence restraining orders, witness testimony preparation, and V.I.N.E. notification.

In addition, the Office organizes its annual “Holiday Toy Drive” to support families in need throughout Essex County, many of whom have received assistance through the Victim-Witness Advocacy Unit. Each year approximately 500 toys, board games, dolls, electronics, sporting goods, and clothing items are collected and distributed to local social services agencies, which in turn provide the donations to children and families across the county.