High Tech Task Force
In 2000, the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office joined other Southern California law enforcement agencies to create the Southern California High Technology Crime Task Force (SCHTTF). The Task Force is made up of investigators from the District Attorney’s Office, civilian computer forensic examiners and representatives from other law enforcement agencies. The SCHTTF provides highly technical support and forensic technology services for the District Attorney’s ever-growing number of cases involving digital evidence and provides specialized training to other law enforcement agencies and prosecutors. Hundreds of computers, data storage devices and cellular phones are analyzed annually by the SCHTTF. Digital evidence has proven crucial in the prosecution of capital murder cases, sexual assaults and other serious cases. Task Force personnel also work with law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute cases involving Internet crimes against children and other computer crimes.
Safe Harbor MDIC
Safe Harbor Ventura County is a coalition of public and private agencies to assist investigations and provide services to victims of child physical and sexual abuse and to adult victims of sexual assault. Administered by the District Attorney’s Office, partner agencies include all law enforcement agencies in the county, Child Protective Services of the Ventura County Human Services Agency, the Coalition for Family Harmony, the Partnership for Safe Families and Communities of Ventura County, Casa Pacifica, the Ventura County Health Care Agency, and the Ventura County Medical Association. Safe Harbor operates two Multi-Disciplinary Interview Centers (MDIC): one located in Ventura serving West County, and one in Simi Valley serving East County. The centers are located in houses that were adapted to provide comfortable, secure and confidential environments for interviews and medical examinations. The program promotes dignity and minimizes trauma for victims by reducing the number of interviews a victim must…
Family Justice Center
The Ventura County Family Justice Center (FJC), was opened to improve the lives of those impacted by domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, elder and dependent adult abuse, human trafficking, and other violent crimes. District Attorney staff collaborates with a team of more than 35 agencies dedicated to a shared, vital cause — to reduce trauma, eliminate repeat victimization, mitigate future risks and make a lasting, positive difference in countless lives. Through our welcoming community and comprehensive, holistic services that focus on the whole person, Family Justice Center empowers and supports survivors of all ages and their families. District Attorney victim advocates and volunteers also provide traditional services and classes in both English and Spanish on the process and forms required to obtain restraining orders as well as information on the dynamics and dangers of violent relationships.
2012 Victims’ Rights Summit
Remarks of: Ventura County District Attorney Gregory D. Totten Real Justice: Victims’ Rights Delivered May 14, 2012 Sacramento, California On behalf of the California District Attorneys Association I am delighted to welcome you to this important statewide conference on victims’ rights. At the outset, I want to acknowledge and thank the California Emergency Management Agency for the funding that made this conference possible. With their support the next two days promise to be both informative and inspirational. It is also our goal to use this conference as the foundation for a future report that will serve as blue print for the delivery of victims’ rights and services here in California. [collapsible_item title=”Read More”] We are fortunate to have such a diverse gathering here today that includes state officials, peace officers, prosecutors, victim advocates, community based organizations and crime survivors. Each of you brings a unique perspective to this subject and…
Helping Victims
The Crime Victims’ Assistance Unit functions to guide victims through the criminal justice process, to ensure victims’ rights are honored, and to assist victims in obtaining services to help them cope with the trauma they have suffered. Through the efforts of a dedicated team of Victim Advocates, the Victims’ Assistance Unit provides comprehensive services to victims of all types of crime. Advocates accompany victims to court, provide a supportive ear, and display a calm strength to help victims get through court proceedings that can be frightening and highly emotional. With the help of Victim Advocates, victims can obtain protective court orders. Advocates also assist in processing, filing, and verifying of restitution claims filed with the California Victims of Crime Compensation Program. Skilled in crisis intervention, victim advocates offer an array of referrals to service providers who respond to the individual needs of victims. Victim advocates also regularly make presentations to…