News and Editorials

Time to Recognize Victim Witness Assistance Center
Letter to the Editor

by Bart Charlow

San Jose's resolution on non-participation in immigration raids is about keeping lines of communication open between police and immigrant communities. That's spot on - but only half the story.

It's time to recognize that for 30 years the Victim Witness Assistance Center (of Silicon Valley Conference for Community & Justice) has been doing that in Santa Clara County. This program provides services to both crime victims and to the entire justice, health and social services systems they encounter.

It plays a vital role in improving the willingness of traumatized residents to work with police, and vice versa.

By making the arduous process actually helpful to victims, the program enlists their willingness to report crimes. Providing willing reporters is a boon to police, and providing companion training and assistance to police helps them bridge the gap with impacted communities.

A major portion of crimes are committed against poor and immigrant communities (documented or not). Victim Witness Assistance has been pivotal in narrowing the divide between cultural, racial and religious minorities and the justice system - a key flashpoint in other communities that suffered rioting without this bridge.

SVCCJ is proud of our service to over 20,000 victims every year through our Victim Witness Assistance Center.

Victim Witness Assistance