OVC-ARC Riverside Online Professional Training Conference 9/9-9/29 2004 WORKSHOP INFORMATION FOR CEU CREDIT Building Partnerships to Enhance Access to the Criminal Justice System for Crime Victims with Disabilities Elizabeth D. Scheibel, Esq. Program Description: Building Partnerships for the Protection of Persons with Disabilities is an exciting statewide Massachusetts initiative which links human service and law enforcement in an effort to effectively address crimes committed against persons with disabilities. The Building Partnerships initiative, institutionalized through formal agreements with each district attorney, human service providers and law enforcement, provides a framework for the prompt and effective reporting, investigation and prosecution of crimes committed against persons with disabilities. This multidisciplinary initiative has resulted in a dramatic increase in criminal investigations and prosecutions, thereby providing enhanced access to the criminal justice system for crime victims with disabilities. Outline I. Introduction to the Structure of Massachusetts State Agencies a. Human Service System i. Agencies ii. Jurisdiction iii. Role and Responsibilities b. Adult Protective Service System i. Agencies ii. Jurisdiction iii. Role and Responsibilities c. Law Enforcement System i. Agencies ii. Jurisdiction iii. Role and Responsibilities II. Identifying Abuse as a Problem a. Prevalence of Violence i. National Statistics 1. Victims with Developmental Disabilities 2. Victims with Mental Illness 3. Victims with Physical Disabilities 4. Lack of Abuse Reporting III. "House of Horrors" a. The Case that Changed the Massachusetts System i. Case Facts 1. Physical Abuse 2. Sexual Abuse 3. Financial Abuse 4. Neglect b. What Went Wrong - A System Failure i. Single Agency Response IV. Response to the System Failure a. The Process i. House Post Audit Report Issued ii. DMR Investigations Advisory Panel Report iii. EOHHS Unites Human Service Agencies b. The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) i. Statement of Purpose ii. Participating Agencies iii. Goals iv. Reporting and Investigation v. Human Services Investigation Liaison vi. Review and Evaluation c. Building Partnerships Initiative i. Steering Committee 1. Purpose 2. Membership 3. Subcommittees V. Building Partnerships Initiative Projects a. Public Awareness Campaign i. Logo Development ii. Brochures iii. Laminated Cards iv. Mass Mailings v. Video Development b. Training i. Law Enforcement 1. Countywide 2. Municipal Police Training Committee 3. State Police Academy 4. Statewide Conference ii. Human Services 1. Countywide 2. Video 3. Statewide Conference iii. Civil Investigators 1. 40 Hour Basic Investigation 2. 40 Hour Sexual Assault 3. Countywide 4. Statewide Conference iv. Medical Personnel 1. SANE Nurses 2. Emergency Room Nurses 3. Countywide v. Court Personnel 1. Americans with Disabilities Act Coordinators 2. Court Officers 3. Judiciary c. Legislative Initiatives i. Senate Bill 1083 d. New Law Enforcement Initiatives i. New Recruits - Classroom Curriculum ii. Veteran Police - Distance Learning VI. How cases move through the Adult Protective Service System a. Massachusetts Adult Protective Service System i. Disabled Persons Protection Commission 1. Department of Mental Retardation 2. Department of Mental Health 3. Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission b. Disabled Persons Protection Commission (DPPC) Hotline i. Intake Unit - Screening 1. Emergency 2. Criminal Screening 3. Reports Referred for non Jurisdiction 4. DPPC Jurisdiction - Assigned for Civil Investigation c. DPPC and Human Service Agencies Assisting Law Enforcement i. Provides Background Data ii. Assists with Interview iii. Coordinates Protective Services VII. Building Partnerships Results a. Abuse Reports i. Fiscal Year 1999 through Fiscal Year 2004 b. Criminal Investigations and Criminal Charges i. Fiscal Year 1999 through Fiscal Year 2004 c. Type of Criminal Activity i. Sexual Assault ii. Rapes iii. Assault and Battery iv. Larceny v. Death vi. Other d. Partners in Protection Learning Objectives: 1. To develop a basic understanding of the roles and responsibilities of the Massachusetts human service agencies providing services to persons with disabilities and law enforcement, and the relationship between the systems 2. To understand the prevalence of violence committed against persons with disabilities 3. To learn how Massachusetts responded to a high profile failure involving crime victims with disabilities 4. To learn how to develop a multidisciplinary team approach to: . enhance communication and cooperation between law enforcement and agencies providing services to persons with disabilities . ensure crimes committed against persons with disabilities are promptly and effectively reported, investigated and prosecuted . provide protection, treatment and continuity of care for persons with disabilities who are victims of crime . increase awareness of crimes committed against persons with disabilities 5. To learn how the Building Partnerships initiative has enhanced access to the criminal justice system for crime victims with disabilities