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.

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