Federal Legislation to Address Human Trafficking

On Thursday, November 12th, NCVLI’s Executive Director, Meg Garvin, joined Senator Ron Wyden and Commissioner Diane McKeel, as well as representatives from Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office, Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office, and Portland Police Bureau, at a press conference to speak out against the crime of sex trafficking. At the press conference, Sen. Wyden announced plans to introduce federal legislation to fund a comprehensive approach to addressing human trafficking. The plan would provide sex trafficking victims with shelter, counseling, legal assistance, education and job training, and would provide resources to law enforcement to improve investigation and prosecution. In her comments on behalf of NCVLI, Meg Garvin stated: “Today is a sad day because it is an awful moment to realize that despite historic efforts, human trafficking and slavery continue to be a pervasive problem. It is a great day because silence cannot save these victims; only speaking loudly and speaking with resources can help these young girls and today we are doing that.” NCVLI will keep you posted on the future of this proposed legislation. For more on this story click here.

Outstanding Achievement Awards

NCVLI invites you to nominate individuals and/or organizations to receive a 2010 Outstanding Achievement Award. These awards recognize individuals and/or organizations that have made significant contributions to the enhancement of crime victims' status and standing in the criminal justice system. NCVLI presents the awards at its annual Crime Victim Law Conference, which will be held June 3-4, 2010, in Portland, OR. Click here to learn more and to nominate an individual and/or organization. Submit nominations no later than Friday, December 18, 2009.

NCVLI and the Utah Clinic Fight to Keep a Victim of Domestic Violence Out of Jail

In Utah, a victim's ex-boyfriend broke into her home and assaulted her and her current partner while they lay sleeping. As the case proceeded toward trial, the prosecutor wrongly assumed the victim would not appear for trial. The result of this misunderstanding was that the prosecutor had the victim arrested as a material witness pending trial. After the victim was placed in custody, the trial date was postponed indefinitely. The victim was not released. Instead, the court scheduled a bond hearing for 13 days out to address under what conditions she would be released. The Utah Crime Victims Legal Clinic, NCVLI's Utah Clinic, was appointed to represent the victim and sent an urgent request to NCVLI for assistance. NCVLI conducted legal research and assisted the Clinic in constructing arguments to secure the victim's release -- arguments that included that holding a victim of domestic violence in custody was a violation of her rights as a crime victim and against public policy, and that the victim's due process rights were violated when she was held without notice of the basis for the arrest warrant or an opportunity to be heard in opposition to her continued detention. As a result of NCVLI's research and the Clinic's advocacy, the court ordered the victim's immediate release.

Law Alumni Helping Victims

On December 2, 2009, NCVLI alumni and other victims' rights supporters will raise a glass to celebrate the holiday season and learn how lawyers in every area of practice can help victims. The event will be held at Henry's 12th Street Tavern in Portland, Oregon. For more information call Cassandra Mercer at 503-768-6819 or ncvli@lclark.edu.

Crime Victim Law Conference
RFP Submission Deadline Extended

NCVLI's 9th Annual Crime Victim Law Conference (June 3-4, 2010, in Portland, Oregon) will focus on securing fairness for crime victims. In law, fairness requires both procedural and substantive due process. This means that the law must be applied fairly to all, procedural safeguards must be afforded before a decision is taken that could affect a citizen's right, and each person's fundamental rights must be protected throughout the process. NCVLI seeks presentations that promote assertion and enforcement of victims' rights. Submissions are due by Friday, November 20, 2009. Download the RFP by clicking here.