The VICTIM’S INFORMER CRIME VICTIM CLEARINGHOUSE VOL. 19, NO. 3 – SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2014

A Trauma Informed Perspective by Angie McCown, Director TDCJ Victim Services Division

The concept of a trauma informed Individual trauma results from an approach is not new, but it has event, series of events, or a set of become more prevalent in the circumstances that is experienced criminal justice and victim by an individual as physically or services systems as more is being emotionally harmful or threatening understood about the impact of and that has lasting adverse effects trauma on individuals, families and on the individual’s functioning communities. It is a paradigm shift and physical, social, emotional or from asking individuals, “what’s spiritual well-being. Angie McCown wrong with you” to instead asking “what happened to you.” The victim From this definition came the three foundation for responding to services field was most likely E’s: victims impacted by crime that operating from a trauma informed 1. The event and circumstance; restores a sense of safety, autonomy perspective long before the term 2. The individual’s experience of and control to the victim/survivor. became popular. That being said, it these events or circumstances To adopt these guiding principles might be helpful to review some of helps to determine whether it is the individual or agency might first the guiding principles of a trauma a traumatic event; and incorporate the three R’s: informed approach. 3. The long lasting adverse effects 1. Realizing the prevalence of on an individual are the result of trauma; So what is the definition of trauma? their experience of the event. 2. Recognizing how trauma affects Several years ago the Substance all individuals, including clients Abuse and Mental Health Services So trauma is the sum of the event, and staff; and Administration (SAMHSA) brought the experience, and the effect. 3. Responding by putting this together nationally recognized knowledge into practice. professionals who work in the Most of the literature references field of trauma to conduct a review the five guiding principles of a More information on these principles of definitions of trauma. After trauma informed approach as and other information regarding a extensive review and discussion, safety, trustworthiness, choice, trauma informed approach can be the group developed this working collaboration and empowerment. found on the SAMHSA website at definition of individual trauma: These principals provide a www.samhsa.gov.

SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2014 | THE VICTIM’S INFORMER 1I The VICTIM’S INFORMER

Sexual Assault and Educational Settings by Nicole Wilkes, Research Assistant Sam Houston State University School of Criminal Justice t is the time of year when Ohio and Maryville, Missouri many people across Texas are also involved teenage victims. The Texas Department of Ithinking about the return of Criminal Justice Victim Services the academic year. As thoughts Similarly, numerous cases Division is proud to provide of backpacks and residence hall of college sexual assault and you with an email notification decorations return, considerations harassment have been appearing service. Email notifications of safety also arise. When thinking in the news regularly over the past may be retrieved directly from about students’ safety, it seems several months, and the attention your computer, mobile device, natural to think about things like has increased scrutiny over how or wherever internet access is injuries or stolen property, yet colleges are handling these cases. available. Email notifications are over the past several years we An article was included in the New time sensitive and notify you of have seen incidents of sexual York Times about a sexual assault changes in an offender’s status. assault in middle and high schools, case involving a college freshman as well as college, receive more at a small private college in New Being a current Victim public attention. It is important York. In this case, the victim Notification System registrant for parents, communities, victim reported to college officials after will not automatically register service providers and students to being assaulted by multiple male you for this email service. To be aware of these issues. students. Despite the forensic register, contact the Victim evidence and witnesses, the Services Division at 800-848- Just this past summer, news was alleged perpetrators were not 4284 or visit our website at tdcj. released of a 16-year-old female penalized through the college’s texas.gov and complete the victim student from Houston being judicial process. email notification form. sexually assaulted by peers. Since this incident, photos and memes Problem of Sexual Assault You continue to have the option have appeared mocking the Research has indicated that to receive notifications by letter, victim in social media, including approximately one in five women email, or both. We would like individuals posing like her in an experience sexual assault during to encourage all victim service unconscious state. Other highly their time in college,i and college providers who utilize the Victim publicized cases in Steubenville, women are at greater risk of Notification System to elect to receive email notifications only i Karjane, H. M., Fisher, B., & Cullen, F. T. (2005). Sexual assault on campus: What whenever possible. colleges and universities are doing about it. US Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, National Institute of Justice. continued on next page SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2014 | THE VICTIM’S INFORMER 2 Sexual Assault and Educational Settings (cont.)

sexual assault than women in the hall. They may also be shamed Title IX, enacted in 1972, requires general population.ii Male college and harassed by peers at their schools to establish gender students also experience sexual school or college as a result of the equitable learning environments. assault and other forms of sexual incident. It applies to students, employees harassment, but at considerably and visitors of the school. If a lower rates. More attention has been given to case of gender-based violence colleges’ response to sexual assault occurs on school property or in College sexual assault is widely than to other forms of gender- some way moves onto school underreported to campus and law based violence and harassment property (via harassment or enforcement officials. Fewer than and to the response from K-12 other means), the school is 5% of victims report the incident institutions of education. Recently, required to investigate, provide to authorities and/or college colleges have faced significant accommodations and respond to administrators.iii In 80-90% of scrutiny for their policies and the incident independently from college sexual assault cases, the procedures in handling sexual the criminal justice system. victim knows the offender.iv assault cases. Numerous colleges and universities have been cited The following are a few key Less is known about the for not complying with federal points about Title IX that could prevalence of sexual violence requirements to hold offenders be useful information for victim among teens and circumstances accountable and provide a safe service providers: surrounding these incidents. In a environment for victims. study conducted by the Center for • Schools are required to have a Disease Control and Prevention, Title IX Title IX Coordinator who is the the prevalence of sexual assault Title IX is a federal law person primarily responsible for was 10.5% for female and 4.2% prohibiting discrimination on issues of gender-based violence for male students in grades 9-12.v the basis of sex in educational and harassment. The same study also looked at programs and activities operated sexual violence within dating by recipients of federal funds. • Schools must conduct their relationships, reporting 14.4% Title IX applies to elementary and own investigation into claims of females and 6.2% of males in secondary schools, colleges and of gender-based violence and these relationships experience universities-public and private- discrimination independent sexual dating violence.vi that receive federal financial from the criminal justice assistance. The act applies to system. The investigation Situations of sexual assault both sexual assault, stalking, intimate should be concluded within 60 on college campuses and within partner violence, gender-based days. middle and high schools face hate crimes, and other forms of unique challenges. For example, sexual and gender-based violence • Schools must take immediate the victim and offender may be and harassment. action to prevent ongoing in the same classes or residence discrimination, harassment

ii Fisher, B. S., Cullen, F. T., & Turner, M. G. (2000). The Sexual Victimization of College Women. Series: Research Report. NCJ. iii Karjane, H. M., Fisher, B., & Cullen, F. T. (2005). Sexual assault on campus: What colleges and universities are doing about it. US Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, National Institute of Justice. iv Ibid v Kann, L., Kinchen, S., Shanklin, S. L., Flint, K. H., Kawkins, J., Harris, W. A., et al. (2014). Youth risk behavior surveillance-United States, 2013. MMWR: Surveillance Summaries, 63(SS-04), 1-168. vi Ibid continued on next page SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2014 | THE VICTIM’S INFORMER 3 Sexual Assault and Educational Settings (cont.)

and violence. This could mean Clery Act requires colleges to requirements. The majority of the adapting class schedules or disclose information about crime resources and training programs housing arrangements. on and around their campus, are directed at colleges, with few including sexual assault. available for and specific to K-12 • Title IX prevents retaliation educational sites. Additionally, against the complainant. The Campus SaVE Act expands there is generally no external upon the Clery Act by requiring funding available to educational The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) colleges to also disclose institutions to work on these issues oversees Title IX compliance. information about reports of or to provide the programming at If a school is suspected to be stalking and dating violence. colleges that is required under the noncompliant with Title IX Additionally, Campus SaVE Campus SaVE Act. standards, it can be investigated by requires colleges to conduct the OCR. Anyone who believes ongoing primary prevention Federal Response there was an act of discrimination programming for new students Recently, the federal government based on sex can file a complaint and employees. has taken a more proactive with the OCR within 180 days of approach in trying to address the alleged discrimination. Challenges in Responding the problems with institutional Title IX and the other federal response to college sexual Campus SaVE and Clery Act acts colleges are required to assault. In April, the White House Colleges are also required to comply with are complicated released a report and resources comply with the Campus Sexual and lack clarity in certain areas. after conducting a number of Violence Elimination (SaVE) Educational institutions face listening sessions with college Act and Clery Act. The Campus numerous barriers in responding administrators, law enforcement SaVE Act, an extension of the to incidents of gender-based officers, victim service providers Clery Act, was passed as a part violence and developing policies and sexual assault survivors. With of the Violence Against Women and procedures, as well as this report they also launched Reauthorization Act of 2013. The general compliance with federal a website with information and continued on next page

Texas Victim Assistance Training Online T V A T

The Texas Victim Assistance Training (TVAT) Online is a state-wide foundational victim assistance training focused on victim-centered service delivery and professional development that complements other victim services initiatives and enables new advocates to acquire baseline professional skills and competence.

CALENDAR Check out the Calendar page for Texas Victim Assistance Training (TVAT) Online. Criminal justice and victim services professionals can view, search, and submit victim-related trainings and events on the TVAT Calendar webpage. tdcj.texas.gov/php/vscalendar/index.php.

SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2014 | THE VICTIM’S INFORMER 4 Graph 1. Types of specialized training recevied by Graph 2. Agency collaborations to improve response campus police officers Sexual Assault and Educational Settings (cont.) resources for colleges and victims. role in sexual assault cases on for sexual assault, such as the The majority of this information college campuses, it is important Clery Act and Title IX. would also be applicable to K-12 to understand their perceptions educational institutions. and procedures. A full report of Less than half of respondents’ this study can be found at the departments were participating As a part of the federal response following address: in efforts to improve response to to the issues of college sexual www.crimevictimsinstitute.org/ sexual assault in their communities assault, the list of colleges and publications. or campus (see Graph 2). Roughly universities being investigated half of respondents (52.2%) for Title IX compliance related to The majority of the campus noted that their department was sexual assault cases was released police officers surveyed noted not involved in a Sexual Assault for the first time. As of July 2, that they had received some Response Team (SART). Of the 2014, there were 67 schools kind of specialized training remaining respondents, 35.4% currently under investigation, on sexual assault (see Graph noted that their agency was three of which are in Texas. 1). The most common type of involved in a SART, while 12.4% specialized training received was were not sure. Relatively few Research with Campus Law investigation of sexual assaults respondents noted that they or Enforcement Officers in Texas (77.1%), while 43.2% received their department were currently The Crime Victims’ Institute at training on identifying drug- involved with other collaborative Sam Houston State University facilitated sexual assaults. Over efforts to improve response to recently conducted a survey of half of respondents (59.3%) had sexual assault. Approximately 118 campus law enforcement received training on the role of one-third (34.8%) of respondents’ officers in Texas to increase alcohol or intoxication in sexual departments were involved with understanding of how officers assaults. Victim sensitivity an on-campus group focused on perceive sexual assault cases and training was identified by 63.6% improving response to sexual how their departments respond of respondents, and 53.0% noted assaults, and even fewer (29.2%) to these cases. When sexual that they had been trained on the were involved with an off-campus assaults are reported, campus law trauma of victimization. Finally, organization that focused on enforcement officers are often the 57.4% of respondents noted that improving response to sexual first, if not the only responders. they had received specialized assault cases. Given campus law enforcements’ training on federal requirements

continued on page 12

SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2014 | THE VICTIM’S INFORMER 5 Victim Offender Mediation / Dialogue

by Lauren Bledsoe, VOMD Supervisor TDCJ Victim Services Division

There is a steadily growing The uniqueness of the VSD The VOMD process can only interest in Victim Offender VOMD program is that it has been be initiated at the request of the Mediation Dialogue (VOMD) developed for victims of violent victim, and offender participation from victims, their family crime. THE VSD VOMD program is voluntary. Either party may members and the victim services facilitates cases where an offender withdraw from the VOMD community. Accordingly, VOMD has been convicted of a felony, and process at any time. programs across the United is either serving his/her sentence in States are growing quickly. prison or is on parole supervision. Mediators work with both the However, to many the process is The TDCJ VSD does not provide victim and the offender in order still unfamiliar. VOMD services pre-adjudication, to assess their goals and fully or on the misdemeanor level. prepare them for the meeting. The VOMD is a victim-initiated The preparation process takes and victim-centered program Victims or surviving family approximately six months, that allows a victim/survivor to members may consider this service depending on the individual request to meet in-person with for a multitude of reasons and may needs of the case. Throughout the the offender who is responsible also request to conduct a “creative process, the assigned mediator for their victimization. alternative” mediation, which prioritizes the victim’s needs usually consists of writing a letter and safety. Part of the mediator’s In Texas, the Victim Services to the offender. Some victims want role is to assess the offender’s Division (VSD) VOMD program to ask the offender about details of appropriateness for mediation. was formed within the division the crime that only the offender can in 1993 after a crime victim provide. Some wish to explain to If an offender chooses to requested this service. In 2001, the offender the full impact of their participate, he/she must admit the 77th Texas Legislature passed victimization and have the offender guilt and take responsibility legislation providing victims of truly listen to what they have to for the offense. An offender’s violent crime the right to request say in an environment outside of participation is not intended victim-offender mediation. As the judicial process. Many victims to affect the offender's prison, such, the Texas Department that request VOMD feel that it is parole, or appeal status. The of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) is an important part of their healing VOMD process is confidential statutorily designated as the process that allows them to regain and offenders are notified that entity that will provide mediation some of the control over their their participation will not be services to victims, guardians victimization. documented for or reported to of victims and close relatives of the parole board in any official deceased victims. For offenders, the VOMD is an capacity. opportunity to take responsibility for Historically, states have had their actions and to be accountable The VSD VOMD program is the victim offender dialogue for the pain and suffering those largest VOMD program in the programs for nonviolent offenses. actions have caused. continued on next page

SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2014 | THE VICTIM’S INFORMER 6 Victim Offender Mediation / Dialogue

OCTOBER IS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH Resources:

You may reach the National Domestic Violence Hotline (800) 799-7233 / TTY (800) 787-3224

National Resource Center on Domestic Violence National Network to End Domestic Violence www.nrcdv.org/dvam/ http://nnedv.org/

Texas Council on Family Violence www.tcfv.org/

National Violence Against Women Online Resource Center End Violence Against Women International www.vawnet.org http://www.evawintl.org/ Victim Offender Mediation Dialogue (cont) nation. The program utilizes five refer them to TDCJ VSD for more New VOMD Program Manager full-time mediators and volunteers information. Victims who may be Lauren Douglas Bledsoe became to facilitate VOMD cases. In Fiscal interested in VOMD might make the Ombudsman III/Program Year (FY) 2013: 108 VOMD cases statements about wondering if the Supervisor for the TDCJ Victim were initiated, 120 VOMD cases offender is remorseful, wanting the Offender Mediation Dialogue were assigned and 42 VOMD offender to know the full impact program in June 2014. mediations were conducted. of their victimization, or having attempted to contact the offender Lauren is a Licensed Master Referring Victims to VOMD in the past. Social Worker and has extensive The VOMD can be very powerful experience in criminal justice and for victims of violent crime. While Once a victim contacts our office, social work. She can be reached at awareness of VOMD is increasing, we will conduct an intake and 512-406-5933 or lauren.bledsoe@ it remains one of the lesser known assess the case for assignment. The tdcj.texas.gov. services available to victims of crime. VSD VOMD staff can be reached at 512-406-5929 or through the If you are working with a victim who VSD hotline at 1-800-484-4284. may benefit from VOMD, please We can also be reached via email at [email protected].

SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2014 | THE VICTIM’S INFORMER 7 AGENCY PROFILE

by Gloria Terry, CEO Texas Council on Family Violence he Texas Council on Family and Tarrant (6); counties with And although family violence Violence (TCFV) is the smaller populations like Lubbock fatalities cause all of us to take Tonly 501(c)(3) nonprofit also experienced greater per pause, we must also consider coalition in Texas dedicated solely capita rates of death than larger family violence that includes to creating safer communities and population centers, bringing home actions short of murder. We know freedom from family violence. the idea that we must take murders for instance that over 76,131 With a state-wide reach and direct in both contexts seriously. Some victims sought services in our local impact, TCFV, with the 37 of the 114 women killed aged state’s family violence programs collective strength of more than between 30-39; three young in 2013 because home was not 1000 members, shapes public women under 19 years old and safe. And those life-saving centers policy, equips service providers 9 women 60 years and older received more than 199,005 and initiates strategic prevention died. Sixty percent of fatalities hotline calls.1 On one day alone efforts. involved the use of firearms. An in 2013, Texas programs served additional 15 family members, 5,923 adults and children but One of our key analysis work is friends and others including could not meet 1,311 requests in the annual Honoring Texas 5 children were killed during for services.2 Shockingly, family Victims Report which allows the same criminal episode; 61 violence centers had to turn us to carefully and deliberately additional people witnessed these away another 10,896 due to lack examine vital statistics related to horrific acts, 44 of these children. of space. While these numbers family violence and peel back the As compared to the previous year, give pause while we consider complex layers of this issue. The Texas experienced an increase the magnitude of the problem, report is released in October of in family violence murders of it is also noted that these 76,131 each year. women by their intimate partner: individuals, primarily women and 114 in 2012 and 102 in 2011. For children, found safety which kept According to the last published the full report as well as reports them from more tragic outcomes. report, in 2012 114 women were from the last 20 years, head to killed by their intimate partner www.tcfv.org. More broadly, over 37% of in Texas. From Potter to Harris, Texas women have experienced to El Paso to Cameron, to Dallas Overall, rather than thinking of intimate partner violence in their to Wichita counties, communities these fatalities as inevitable and lifetime, translating to over 3 across our state encountered seemingly random in nature, we million women currently living family violence fatalities. began to see that family violence in our state. Some 22% of women Harris led all counties with 30 fatalities are identifiable, victimized in this way became deaths, followed by Dallas (9) knowable and preventable. pregnant as a result of forced sex.

1. These figures supplied by the Texas Health and Human Services Family Violence Program. 2. As reported in the National. Network to End Domestic Violence’s 2013 Annual National Program Study, available at www.nnedv.org. continued on next page

SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2014 | THE VICTIM’S INFORMER 8 Texas Council on Family Violence (cont.) “Go Purple” counties from the 2012 Honoring Texas Victims report Moreover, some 1 million Texans with local communities across from those tragic outcomes (see currently experience abuse within the state in bolstering prevention above). We have a message and their relationship and over 10 strategies. a challenge to all Texans to “Go million people in Texas know Purple” and strive for a state someone who has been in an For TCFV, it’s a “yes and” where no woman loses her life as abusive relationship. In large part approach. Yes, we will work a result of family violence. due to these realities, over 97% of earnestly to prevent domestic those surveyed agreed that victims violence and we will continue to In that sense, a completely purple of family violence should have support intervention services that Texas represents this aspiration. access to support services. Over are still sorely needed. 86% of Texans responding to a survey gauge access to services In the end these efforts “Go Purple” as important or very important. come down to Rosa, Dyrika, represents a positive Almost 70% of those surveyed Evangeline, April, Lashonda, said they would be more likely to Shelia, Haroldine, and the other focus of our energy on vote for political candidates who 107 women killed in 2012, the prevention, safety for help victims of family violence.3 additional 2,506 women killed by their male intimate partner since victims and accountability In the past 35+ years, tremendous 1990 and the more than 70,000 for battering. progress has been made in Texans that seek family violence creating safe havens, increasing services every year. legal protections and establishing The Texas Council on Family remarkable transitional services. In the Honoring Texas Victims Violence promotes safe and However, domestic violence Report, a map provides a healthy relationships by persists. visual illustration with purple supporting service providers, representing counties free of facilitating strategic prevention Simultaneously we have placed fatalities, while white represents efforts, and creating opportunities a priority confronting the root those counties where we must for freedom from domestic causes of violence by working redouble our efforts and learn violence.

3. See Statewide Prevalence of Domestic Violence in Texas, The University of Texas at Austin Institute on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (2011) (http://www.utexas.edu/ssw/dl/files/cswr/institutes/idvsa/ publications/DV-Prevalence.pdf. accessed March, 10, 2014).

SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2014 | THE VICTIM’S INFORMER 9 Board of Pardons and Paroles Announces New Board Office, Personnel Assignments and Policies New Web access and Call Center resources

By David Gutierrez, Board Member Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles

he Texas Board of The BPP’s Newest Pardons and Paroles Commissioners and Office T(BPP) is proud to The Board’s newest location, on share its latest achievements, Howard Lane in Austin, is staffed including key promotions, a by Parole Commissioners Troy new Board office, as well as Fox and Elvis Hightower, along updated Policies, revitalizing the with their assistants. The office department’s personnel structure is assigned the Bartlett State and procedures. As the state’s Jail, Halbert SAFPF, , , Lindsey State decision makers, we determine Work Facility, Lockhart Prison Jail, Marlin Transfer Facility, which eligible offenders to (Private), Stevenson, and Travis , Murray release on parole or discretionary County State Jail units. Board Unit, San Saba Transfer Facility, mandatory supervision, and under Office contact information: Sayle SAFPF and Woodman State what conditions. The Board uses Jail. research-based Parole Guidelines AUSTIN BOARD OFFICE to assess each offender’s 4616 W. Howard Lane, Suite 200 Ms. Eck-Massingill has been likelihood for a successful parole Austin, TX 78728 with TDCJ and BPP in various against the risk to society. Phone: 512-671-2532 capacities since 1989 and a BPP Fax: 512-671-2497 Commissioner since 2014 and The Board also decides whether has 25 years of Criminal Justice to revoke parole if conditions are Among the Board’s two experience. She has a Bachelor not met, often using a graduated latest assignments are Parole of Science in Criminology and sanctions approach, if appropriate. Commissioners Lee Ann Eck- Corrections with a Minor in Depending on the seriousness Massingill and Roel Tejada, both Psychology from Sam Houston of the violation, the Board may assigned to Board Member David State University, Huntsville, TX. continue parole, impose additional Gutierrez’s office in Gatesville, conditions, place the offender in an TX. The units assigned to the Mr. Tejada has also been with Intermediate Sanction Facility, or Gatesville Board Office include: BPP since 2014 and has over use other alternatives to revoking Boyd Unit, Bridgeport - Male 13 years of Administrative and parole and sending the offender & Female, Crain Unit (Crain/ Supervisory experience. He back to prison. Additionally, the Reception, Crain/Riverside, has a background in Criminal Board recommends clemency Crain/Sycamore, Crain/Terrace, Justice in both Juvenile and matters, including pardons, to the Crain/Trusty Camp, Crain/ Adult systems with emphasis on Governor. Valley), , Havins Unit, Substance Abuse, Special Needs Hilltop Unit, Hobby Unit, Hughes and Domestic Violence. He has

continued on next page SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2014 | THE VICTIM’S INFORMER 10 Board of Pardons and Paroles (cont.)

a Bachelor of Science degree in treatment or counseling resources and alcohol. To ensure an offender Political Science and Master’s were limited or unavailable. But, complies with components of the degree in Justice Administration, since 2007, when the legislature condition, alcohol testing and both from St. Mary’s University earmarked significant resources urinalysis monitoring is required in San Antonio, TX. for treatment programs, the and substance abuse treatment Board’s opportunities to place or counseling may be required Parole Commissioners assist offenders in substance abuse under certain circumstances. For the Board with parole and treatment programs prior to and those offenders convicted of a revocation decisions. The 14 after being released from prison DWI, a parole panel may impose commissioners are employed by have increased. additional components of Special the Chair, their responsibilities Condition S such as driving include: determine which inmates The pre-release options for the restrictions, not to operate a motor are to be released on parole or Board include a DWI program, vehicle without Board approval mandatory supervision; determine which is a 6 month program; an In- or without an “Ignition Interlock conditions of parole; modify and Prison Therapeutic Community Device.” withdraw conditions of parole Program (IPTC), which is a 5 and mandatory supervision; month program; and Pre-Release New Website and Call Center determine the continuation, Therapeutic Community (PRTC) BPP is revealing new products modification, or revocation of or Pre-Release Substance Abuse and services for the general parole or mandatory supervision Program (PRSAP), which are public and those who utilize the violators; issue subpoenas; both 6 month programs. A parole department’s resources. Programs conduct inmate interviews; panel may use one of the pre- include internet based offender conduct victim interviews; and release substance abuse treatment status reporting (visit: tdcj.texas. conduct interviews with other voting options to require an gov/bpp for more details), as interested parties, such as family offender to successfully complete well as a new and fully staffed members or attorneys. the treatment program prior to Communications Call Center release. which will centralize offender Substance Abuse Treatment status and inquiries with almost The Board has, for many years, The post release option for an real-time updates, set for roll required offenders to submit to offender who completes the out August 1 and September 1, controlled substance testing. IPTC program is a mandatory 2014 respectively. The BPP team This requirement is a mandatory substance abuse aftercare in- welcomes your comments and condition per statute for offenders patient treatment program. An questions and wishes The Victim’s who had a controlled substance additional post release option Informer readers a healthy and present in their body, ever used a is the imposition of Special successful year. Saludos! controlled substance or where the Condition S, Substance Abuse, use of a controlled substance was which requires all offenders to related to the offense for which abstain from the use of unlawful they were convicted. However, drugs, narcotics, or controlled oftentimes, the substance abuse substance; intoxicating inhalants;

SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2014 | THE VICTIM’S INFORMER 11 WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU ! OUR GOAL IS TO PRINT NEWS OF INTEREST FOR VICTIMS AND VICTIM ADVOCATES

The Victim’s Informer newsletter is published quarterly. Articles, meeting notices, and other submissions should be sent to TDCJ Victim Services Division, Texas Crime Victim Clearinghouse, 8712 Shoal Creek Blvd, Graph 3. Victim resource information referral provided by campus law enforcement Suite 265, Austin, Texas 78757-6899; faxed to 512-452-0825; or e-mailed to Sexual Assault (cont.) [email protected]. For Even though few of the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners questions or comments, please call us respondents noted their (81.9%). Transportation to at 800-848-4284 or 512-406-5931. departments were involved medical care facilities, when in collaboration to improve necessary, was provided by 83.6% response to sexual assault, most of departments. Please Note: respondents wanted to be involved You may access the publication at the with these efforts. The majority of Resources & More Information TDCJ VSD Internet website. If you respondents (87.5%) agreed or The federal requirements faced by wish, we will notify you via e-mail each strongly agreed that they would educational institutions, as well as like to be involved with improving issues of gender-based violence time The Victim’s Informer becomes response to sexual assault on their and harassment experienced available on the TDCJ VSD Internet campus. Also, more respondents’ by students, are complicated. website and provide an electronic link departments were involved Many sources of additional to The Victim’s Informer. Send your in prevention programming information can be found online e-mail address to: than in collaborative response at www.notalone.gov and www. [email protected] improvement efforts. The majority clerycenter.org. of respondents (60.7%) noted their department was involved in The Texas Association Against Angie McCown, Director prevention programming on their Sexual Assault (TAASA) has Texas Department of Criminal Justice campus. been proactive in providing Victim Services Division resources and training to [email protected] The vast majority of respondents campus law enforcement, victim 8712 Shoal Creek Blvd., Suite 265, also noted that their department service providers and college provided victims with information administrators. In addition to Austin, Texas 78757 regarding counseling centers training opportunities, TAASA (94.4%), student health services recently released an app for (89.5%), community advocacy students, TX Safety U, with centers/rape crisis centers (84.6%), campus emergency contact student services (84.3%) and information.

SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2014 | THE VICTIM’S INFORMER 12