South Carolina Victim Assistance Network

Board Meeting Minutes

February 14, 2003

In Attendance: Absent:

Brett McGargle Tom Harrison

Larry Bergmann Dean Kilpatrick

Saylor Fox Ritchie Tidwell

Carol Wyatt Pam Johnston

Gwen Herod Christa Wilks

Anne Laver Vicki Bourus

Marian Lindsay Betsy Lewis

Margaret Frierson

Lynn Hawkins

Mary Ann Stroup

Veronica Swain

Laura Hudson

Review of Minutes of December 6, 2002 Board Meeting:

· Sexual Predator Review Panel / adding more victims on first review team (DOC). Laura has started inquiries re proposed legislation to include Victim Impact Statement in 1^st tier reviews. Glenn McConnell writing language for legislation.

Should we insist that victims have the right to elocution during hearings?

DOC – 1^st tier review team

AG’s Office – 2^nd & 3^rd tier review team

§ When offenders are being reviewed for potential civil commitment, no victims are currently being notified. Laura asked the Opinions Section of the AG’s office, who concurred that agencies should be notifying victims.

· Director of DOC, John Ozmint, would rather comply via policy change rather than legislation. Has agreed to comply with notification.

§ Marian Lindsey agreed that PPP will assist in victim notifications.

§ Discussion was held about DJJ and/or Juvenile Parole Board being represented on the 1^st tier review team. Saylor says that his Department could notify of hearings in juvenile cases. Laura needs to add language re maintaining victim confidentiality. Saylor and Laura will discuss the actual wording. Saylor stated that he would change the wording on notification letters and asked Laura if she will need official communication. Saylor will ask Barbara Koon to write SCVAN.

Minutes were approved.

Presentation from Angela Gover & John MacDonald, Professors at USC College of Criminology & Criminal Justice

· Study consisted of a 2-year evaluation of Lexington County Domestic Violence Court.

· Research found significant positive results in reduction of recidivism for CDV offenders

· Study was funded by the National Institute of Justice

· DV cases up 178% from 1989-1998

· DV Court incorporates therapeutic, offender accountability, treatment, & victim safety

· Study identified a tremendous need for resources for Domestic Violence

· Lex. Co. DV Court began in 11/99, and was funded by a VAWA grant

· County picked up funding when grant ran out.

· Process Evaluation/ Impact – Outcome Evaluation

Researchers sat in court 30 times

Conducted interviews with 50 Victims & 50 Offenders

Extensive interviews with people in court

Time Series Analysis before and after

· Staffing of DV court:

2 Judges

2 Full time CDV Investigators

1 Full time Prosecutor – Nicole Howland

1 Victim Advocate – Shirley Ruple

1 Legal Advocate from Sistercare

Lexington Co. DMH – 1^st contact with offender

· Court handles all misdemeanor CDV Cases – 2,000 cases

· Research found that in Magistrates Court, CDV cases were mainly being disposed of in the following ways:

· No follow-through for counseling – PTI - $150 fine

· Dedicated CDV Court is more treatment oriented

· Options for Offenders include PTI – Bench Trial – Jury Trial (Average sentence is $1,036 fine & 30 days suspended upon completion of 26-week treatment program)

· Victim & Offenders were both positive about their experiences.

· Results

· Time Series Analysis

Significant reduction in recidivism rates after CDV court was implemented

Effective courtroom workgroup emerged.

(For further information on this study please refer to packet)

Ex–Officio Board Member Elections:

· SCVAN bylaws state that the President of the SC LEVA Association holds an Ex-Officio position on SCVAN’s Board. LEVA President Belinda Ramsey has appointed Pam Johnston, FBI, to serve. LEVA membership voted to approve the appointment at a meeting of the LEVA Assn.

· Mary Ann Stroup, David Flowers, and Chilton Simmons are nominated to serve in ex-officio positions.

Motion: Larry Bergmann

Second: Lynn Hawkins

Motion carried to elect all three to the SCVAN Board of Directors.

Veronica will send out letters to new Board members.

DPS’ Offer to Use SCVAN’s Quickbooks Program to Formulate Standard Accounting System for Nonprofits Receiving Federal Funding:

Bruce Dorman, Jay McElveen and Mary Ulness the Department of Public Safety asked the Board to use SCVAN’s financial record books to implement a standard accounting format for non-profits.

The Board’s main concern was to maintain privacy of our records. Vendors names will be changed in the Quickbooks program.

Veronica, Fabienne and Lynn agree that the Quickbooks chart of accounts needs to be restructured to clear up problems in producing financial reports.

DPS will need a copy of the 1030 for the last couple of years.

Motion: Lynn Hawkins

Second: Margaret Frierson

Motion carried to allow Bruce Dorman to use SCVAN’s Quickbooks program for his project.

Victim’s Rights Week – Presented by Veronica Swain and Brian Marion

§ Production of the conference is on schedule.

Solicitors and sheriffs have agreed to fund scholarships this year

§ SOVA signed contract, and will provide $7,394 for conference expenses, including advertising. SOVA is paying all hotel costs and will pay SCVAN any money left over if hotel bill is under $20,000.

§ DJ Coursen is scheduled to shoot a TV PSA produced by Take Ten Productions/ WIS-TV

§ Koko of Fox 102.3 will record two radio PSAs for distribution to radio stations

§ SCVAN has hired Sydonnia Brown to help with VRW for $8/hour

SOVA is sending 69 scholarship recipients, but will not pay registration fees.
Mary Ann Stroup and Pam Johnston are updating the Victim Memory Board for the conference.
Veronica asked for the Board’s help in thinking of ways of publicizing VRW.

Posters – to be placed in Sheriff’s Office and Hospital ER’s

Newspapers – Pat Berman and John Monk are good resources

Anne Laver mentioned that posters to sell @ VRW would be a good idea

VRW Program

Cultural Sensitivity Panel will be led by Michael de Arellano of MUSC
Jeanette Largo of the Catawba Indian tribe will also be on panel
Trying to recruit David Cashin, Professor of World Religions, on the panel

Legislative Report – Presented by Laura Hudson

Laura related issues discussed during a meeting with Chief Justice Toal. Justice Toal was receptive to the following issues: Family Court Judges ordering restitution; “Lyle Rules”; Use of pseudonyms for sexual assault victims in court.

Laura has prepared a document called “Responding to Crime Victims God’s Way.” She will be speaking at the WMU conference in Charleston on March 28, 2003 where she will distribute this document.

Rob McManus is in the process of writing another book on victimization. He has asked Laura to assist in the preparation. Laura will be sending her “version” to be submitted to the board for review.

Fundraising

After the Executive Board members reviewed the “Raising More Money” fundraising strategy video, Brett suggests that the video be shown to the entire Board. He suggested that a fundraising captain be assigned from each county. After March (Victim’s Rights Week), a fundraising plan will be developed.

Veronica asked the Board for assistance in writing the PSA for DJ Coursen.

Brett reiterated the importance of reviewing the strategic plan that was developed, specifically the duties that were scheduled to take place from December to March.