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Teresa Scalzo
Senior Attorney, Violence Against Women Program
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Successful prosecution of domestic violence requires that prosecutors understand its dynamics as well as the barriers to successful prosecution. During the past year, APRI’s Violence Against Women Program has worked with a committee of national experts to address these issues. The result of this work is an innovative National Institute on the Prosecution of Domestic Violence. Three institutes will be held in 2004.
The institute is a highly interactive training program that enables prosecutors from different jurisdictions and levels of experience to learn from one another as well as from the expert faculty. Prosecutors who have found methods of overcoming common challenges will share their success stories and techniques.
The institute will consist of five primary modules: Assessing the Case; Pretrial; Culture and Community; Trial; and Post Disposition. In each module, prosecutors will analyze hypothetical case problems and engage in discussions about the most current topics, led by nationally renowned faculty. The interactive format will ensure that prosecutors receive training specific to their needs. Prosecutors will leave the institute with new ideas and techniques for keeping victims safe and holding offenders accountable.
Because prosecutors also need trial strategies and techniques, a manual on the prosecution of domestic violence will be included with the materials for the institute. The manual will include foundation questions, checklists, case law and other resources that prosecutors need to conduct an evidence-based prosecution. The manual will help prosecutors present judges and juries with the information they need to make decisions that will keep victims safe and hold batterers accountable.
The institutes are currently scheduled for May 4–7, 2004, June 22–25, 2004, and September 27–30, 2004. For more information, contact the Violence Against Women Program at vawa@ndaa-apri.org or (703) 549-4253.
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