Witness Justice

Witness Justice (WJ), founded in 2001 by survivors for survivors, is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Frederick, Maryland that serves victims of all types of violence and trauma through advocacy, education, and direct support.

Witness Justice Services

Resources

The WJ Website [http://www.WitnessJustice.org] offers a variety of resources that inform survivors and their families as they pursue healing and justice. Statistics on crime, abuse, self-injury, and mental illness, [http://www.witnessjustice.org/news/stats.cfm] tips on helping a friend or loved one who has been victimized, [http://www.witnessjustice.org/help/tips.cfm] advice on how to advocate for victims of violence, [http://www.witnessjustice.org/resources/advocacy.cfm] and in-depth information on trauma and trauma-informed care [http://www.witnessjustice.org/health/trauma.cfm] is all available on the site. In addition, a comprehensive Criminal Justice Terminology Guide [http://www.witnessjustice.org/justicesystems/terminology.cfm] is available to help those who are struggling to navigate through the criminal justice system, as well as direct links to each state’s victim assistance and victim compensation offices [http://www.witnessjustice.org/justicesystems/directory.cfm] .A Virtual Community can be accessed on the WJ Website too, [http://www.witnessjustice.org/virtualCommunity/disclaimer.cfm] which allows victims to connect and interact with others who have had similar traumatic experiences and struggles in the aftermath. Victims and their families can also request spiritual support and prayer through the multi-faith praying volunteer program available through the WJ Website [http://www.witnessjustice.org/health/prayerrequest.cfm] .

Training

Witness Justice is a nationally recognized authority on trauma and provides trauma trainings to government agencies, service providers, and others across the country. The organization also serves on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' National Center for Trauma-Informed Care [http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/nctic/] . Virtual training is offered through the WJ Website [https://witnessjustice.webex.com/mw0305l/mywebex/default.do?siteurl=witnessjustice] . A variety of courses are presented by the top experts.

Advocacy

As an organization committed to addressing gaps in victim services, Witness Justice also advocates on issues that directly affect survivors and the support they receive. Witness Justice is a member of the Mental Health Liaison Group [http://www.mhlg.org/] and the Crime Victim’s Rights Caucus Advisory Group, working with other organizations to foster change to the systems of care that so many survivors rely on.

On September 13, 2006, WJ, in collaboration with the Congressional Caucus on Addiction, Treatment and Recovery, hosted a briefing on Capitol Hill to illustrate that trauma is the “common denominator” of all violence and disaster victims and that it has extremely destructive-but virtually ignored-mental health, substance abuse, and economic effects on individuals, families, and communities across the nation, especially as it relates to the treatment and prevention of violence [http://witnessjustice.org/advocacysta/issuebriefings.cfm] . Participating speakers at the briefing included: Thomas J. Berger, Ph.D., Chair, PTSD & Substance Abuse Committee, Vietnam Veterans of America, Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy (D-RI), Co-chair, Addiction, Treatment and Recovery Caucus, LaVerne D. Miller, Esq., Director, HTH Peer Advocacy Center, A. Kathryn Power, M.Ed., Director, Center for Mental Health Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Roberta Roper, Founder, Maryland Crime Victims' Resource Center, David L. Shern, Ph.D., President and CEO, National Mental Health Association.

Disaster and Crisis Planning and Response

Following Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma, Witness Justice was not the only organization to recognize that there were massive issues related to the criminal justice system, crime reporting and mental health concerns. While Witness Justice worked directly with survivors that were displaced to new communities and out of the jurisdiction in which they could report the crime committed, the organization also spoke with federal legislators and agencies to address some of the very problematic aspects of our systems that leave disaster survivors without the support the need and rights that they are entitled to. Witness Justice continues its work in this area, recognizing that “lessons learned” are only that if change within our systems take place to ensure that these problems do not occur again [http://witnessjustice.org/violence/trauma_disasters.cfm] .

History of Witness Justice

Background

The survivor of a random, brutal attempted murder, Helga West [http://witnessjustice.org/about/whoweare.cfm#board] founded WJ with the vision to address the gaps in service experienced by survivors of violence and trauma, no matter the nature of the incident, where or when the incident occurred, or whether a crime was ever reported. The organization was founded with very little resource, but unparalleled passion to ensure victim rights are upheld and that survivors’ receive the support they need in the aftermath to heal. With a total annual administrative percentage of only 7%, the organization prides itself in operating efficiently and with strong business sense so that funds coming to the organization can be used to fulfill the organization’s mission in the truest sense through programs and services.

WJ conducts research and outreach to identify unaddressed survivor needs and the impact of violence on families, communities, and our nation. When WJ identifies a gap, need, or unaddressed population, the organization works to meet those needs and gaps and, when necessary, advocate with legislators, state systems, and other organizations to foster positive social change that will provide the best potential for survivors’ healing and justice.

References

External links