02 May NYS Office of Victim Services Virtual Town Hall on Sexual Offence Evidence Kits: Victim Notification
Part of a series of town hall meetings about storage of untested sexual offense evidence kits (SOECKS) and associated items.
From 1:00 PM until 3:00 PM ET
At Online via Zoom
Click here to register by Tuesday, May 10.
Presented by the New York State Office of Victim Services / soeck@ovs.ny.gov
The New York State Office of Victim Services (OVS) is soliciting feedback, information, and best practices from key stakeholders related to its responsibility to store untested sexual offense evidence kits (SOECKs), and associated items for 20 years from the date of collection. Each meeting will focus on a specific topic: Victim Notifications; Transfer and Receipt of Forensic Evidence; and Kit Release and Disposal.
Please see the attached flyer for additional information including detailed instructions on how to register and request speaking time. Space is limited for each meeting. We encourage you to attend only the meetings relevant to your area of expertise. Registration deadline is two weeks in advance of the meeting you wish to attend. All registrations are subject to approval.
Meeting 1: Victim Notification (May 24, 2022, at 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM ET)
OVS seeks participation in response to the following questions:
- What are the best practices in informing and notifying victims of kit status updates in a way that is trauma-informed?
- What are the best practices in informing and notifying victims of kit status updates in a way that is culturally competent?
- What language and/or practices, should be avoided in victim notifications to lessen retraumatization to the extent possible?
- What are the recommended best practices to notify victims of kit status updates in a way that maintains the confidentiality and safety of victims, such as victims of domestic or intimate partner violence?
- What are the recommended best practices to notify to minor victims or points of contacts for minor cases of kit status updates?
Who should participate? Stakeholders who have experience or expertise in notification best practices, particularly those who have experience with confidentiality concerns relating to status as a minor, safety concerns, etc.
Participants may include hospital-based providers who have experience working with victims during and after a forensic exam. Any additional experts in this session topic area are encouraged to attend and participate.
Accessibility: In accordance with its policy of equal opportunity and non-discrimination, OVS will provide reasonable accommodations, upon request, to ensure individuals’ access to participate in these Virtual Town Hall meetings. Please review OVS’s accommodation request policy for more information. Accommodations must be requested at least 10 days prior to the event.
Contact: Please email soeck@ovs.ny.gov with any questions about the Virtual Town Hall meetings. We look forward to your participation and feedback.