Using Model Protocols to Guide Criminal Justice Responses to Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Victims with Disabilities

/in , , , , , , /by The Arc

Domestic and sexual violence against people with disabilities occurs at pandemic rates and yet offenders are rarely held accountable. Through an Office on Violence Against Women Arrest grant, Illinois developed model protocols for law enforcement and prosecutors that provide guidance for responding to violent crimes against people with disabilities. The protocols were developed through the collaborative efforts of victims with disabilities, law enforcement, prosecutors, victim services, disability service providers and other allies committed to criminal justice for crime victims with disabilities. The protocols guide law enforcement and prosecutors in responding to domestic violence and sexual assault victims with disabilities through model guidelines, investigative procedures, pre-trail motion examples, and legal considerations. This webinar will highlight Illinois’ statewide effort to develop the model protocols including the collaborative multi-disciplinary process, design challenges, training and technical assistance components and lessons learned. Key areas of the protocol will be reviewed as well as the process for statewide implementation. NCCJD webinar presenter, Shirley Paceley, working alongside victims with disabilities, facilitated the work group which developed the protocols; provided training of trainers on the protocols and is providing training and technical assistance across the state as the protocols are implemented.

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Assisting Crime Victims With Disabilities: Identifying Barriers & Improving Law Enforcement Response

/in , , , , , , , , /by The Arc

Domestic and sexual violence against people with disabilities occurs at pandemic rates and yet offenders are rarely held accountable. Through an Office on Violence Against Women Arrest grant, Illinois developed model protocols for law enforcement and prosecutors that provide guidance for responding to violent crimes against people with disabilities. The protocols were developed through the collaborative efforts of victims with disabilities, law enforcement, prosecutors, victim services, disability service providers and other allies committed to criminal justice for crime victims with disabilities. The protocols guide law enforcement and prosecutors in responding to domestic violence and sexual assault victims with disabilities through model guidelines, investigative procedures, pre-trial motion examples, and legal considerations. This webinar highlights Illinois’ statewide effort to develop the model protocols including the collaborative multi-disciplinary process, design challenges, training and technical assistance components and lessons learned. Key areas of the protocol will be reviewed as well as the process for statewide implementation. NCCJD webinar presenter, Shirley Paceley, working alongside victims with disabilities, facilitated the work group which developed the protocols; provided training of trainers on the protocols and provided training and technical assistance across the state as the protocols were implemented.

Transcript
Session Slides

Connecting the Dots and Building Collaboration to Support People With Disabilities Who Experience Sexual Violence

/in , , , , , , , /by The Arc

The issue of sexual victimization presents a huge grey area that is often side stepped, leaving survivors without supports and services. Dr. Frantz shares important information criminal justice and disability professionals need to know about how to effectively serve these victims and how our own attitudes, experiences, and skill set influence how we respond to survivors with disabilities. Participants learn how “word choice” can impact the type of sexual assault services victims receive, the importance of “touch” as a proactive strategy for reducing risk of sexual victimization and understand how survivors with complex communication needs can testify in court.

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Session Slides

Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and Dementia; Assessment and Healthcare Practices

/in , , , , , /by The Arc

$10 fee to view. Adults with IDD are aging and living longer than ever. Decline in their daily function with the possibility of developing dementia increases with age, especially in adults with Down syndrome. Seth Keller, MD Immediate Past President of the AADMD and Co-Chair of the National Task Group on Intellectual Disabilities and Dementia Practices reviews how changes in function can be assessed so that an accurate and early diagnosis of dementia can be determined. Health care advocacy and practices are all essential in ensuring that appropriate therapies and planning for eventual decline and associated complications are anticipated and cared for. The guidelines of the National Task Group is also be reviewed.