Recognizing that crime victims often have a variety of legal concerns directly arising from their victimization, but that these victims seldom receive the legal representation they require, the New York State Office of Victim Services, the Empire Justice Center, Pro Bono Net and the University at Albany’s Center for Human Services Research came together to form the New York State Crime Victims Legal Network Project (NY VLN).  NY VLN will identify and respond to unmet legal needs of crime victims in areas of the state outside New York City.  NY VLN is conducting a needs assessment to inventory services for crime victims, identify crime victims’ needs for legal services and to identify gaps in legal services.  This information will inform an implementation plan.

The New York State Crime Victims Legal Network Project (NY VLN) is a cutting-edge, federally-funded partnership between the New York State Office of Victim Services (OVS), the Empire Justice Center, Pro Bono Net, and the University at Albany’s Center for Human Services Research.

Recognizing that crime victims often have a variety of legal concerns directly arising from their victimization, but seldom receive the legal representation they require, this project is designed to identify unmet civil legal needs of crime victims in areas of the State outside New York City and then develop a planned response to fill this void.  The ultimate goal is to create a comprehensive, collaborative network providing holistic legal assistance to crime victims to meet all civil legal needs that arise in connection with their victimization.

OVS has overall responsibility for the project and has contracted with three partners to conduct the technical work of the grant. An advisory committee including crime victim advocates, civil attorneys, prosecutors, crime victims, and relevant agencies throughout the state is assisting the design and direction of this important project.

The first 18-month phase of the project will include a needs assessment, which will inventory services for crime victims, identify crime victims’ needs for civil legal services and identify gaps in civil legal services for crime victims.  The University at Albany’s Center for Human Services Research is conducting the crime victims’ needs assessment.  Concurrently, Pro Bono Net is developing an understanding of the current and potential uses of technology to inform the creation of an integrated services delivery system, while the Empire Justice Center is serving as the Project Manager and oversees the operations of the Advisory Council.  This phase will culminate in the creation of an Implementation Plan.