AEquitas: The Prosecutors’ Resource on Violence Against Women Named after the Roman goddess of equity and fairness, AEquitas strives to maintain balance in its prosecution approach. Established in 2009 to support prosecutors in their individual and collective efforts to achieve justice in gender-based violence and human trafficking cases. Since 2009, AEquitas and its staff, comprised primarily of former prosecutors, have worked closely with governmental and nongovernmental agencies to promote a contextual, rather than uniform approach to the pursuit of justice for victims around the world. By promoting a deeper and more meaningful understanding of these cases. AEquitas and its network are dedicated to increasing successful prosecutions and ultimately preventing future act of violences. “|'ekwitäs|; EH-qui-tahs”

Support This project was supported by Grant No. 2017-TA-AX-K043 awarded by the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Violence Against Women. The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in this presentation are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of OVW.

About Us Mission Approach To improve access to and the quality of justice in gender- based violence and human trafficking cases through an informed, practical, and innovative approach. Victim-Centered Offender-Focused Collaborative Victim-Centered: We develop and promote innovative strategies that inspire a paradigm shift from victim-blaming to victim-centered. We also consider the impact the criminal justice process has on victims, their families, and their communities. Ultimately, we strive to achieve case outcomes that hold offenders accountable while taking victims' experiences and perspectives into account. Offender-Focused: We challenge prosecutors and allied professionals to develop and employ offender-focused strategies driven by accurate and unbiased case analyses and thorough understanding of applicable law. Offenders intentionally target victims whom they believe they can assault, smear, and intimidate. Our approach ensures the protection of victims' rights while focusing on the offenders' actions, behaviors, characteristics, and intent. Collaborative: We work jointly with line-level prosecutors and allied professionals to evaluate and refine our resources and curricula to respond to emerging issues and promote promising practices. Our partnerships help systems work collaboratively to provide a coordinated response, allowing more victims to access services and participate in the process, and more offenders to be held accountable – improving safety for communities and victims.

Resources Examples Model Response to Sexual Violence for Prosecutors (RSVP): An Invitation to Lead Improving Witness Safety and Preventing Witness Intimidation in the Justice System - Benchmarks for Progress Evidence of Other “Bad Acts” in Intimate Partner Violence, Sexual Violence, Stalking, and Human Trafficking Prosecutions Many more available online or upon request! Victim-Centered: We develop and promote innovative strategies that inspire a paradigm shift from victim-blaming to victim-centered. We also consider the impact the criminal justice process has on victims, their families, and their communities. Ultimately, we strive to achieve case outcomes that hold offenders accountable while taking victims' experiences and perspectives into account. Offender-Focused: We challenge prosecutors and allied professionals to develop and employ offender-focused strategies driven by accurate and unbiased case analyses and thorough understanding of applicable law. Offenders intentionally target victims whom they believe they can assault, smear, and intimidate. Our approach ensures the protection of victims' rights while focusing on the offenders' actions, behaviors, characteristics, and intent. Collaborative: We work jointly with line-level prosecutors and allied professionals to evaluate and refine our resources and curricula to respond to emerging issues and promote promising practices. Our partnerships help systems work collaboratively to provide a coordinated response, allowing more victims to access services and participate in the process, and more offenders to be held accountable – improving safety for communities and victims.

Consultations General information Legal Research Customized Strategies Practical Application Case Specific Inquiries General Information; Want to learn more about gender-based violence and human trafficking? We can answer your questions around sexual violence, domestic and intimate partner violence, stalking, human trafficking, child abuse, elder abuse, and witness intimidation.(What is the role of the prosecutor in a criminal case? How do I report a sexual violence crime? What services can AEquitas offer me?) Legal Research; AEquitas Attorney Advisors are available to conduct and curate national and jurisdiction-specific legal research upon request. We also partner with researchers and help translate research to practice for allied professionals.(Can you help find and analyze legal precedents? What is the statute of limitations for attempted sexual assault or rape in my jurisdiction?I am trying to introduce expert testimony on victim behavior in a human trafficking case. Where and how has this been done before?) Customized Strategies; AEquitas provides individualized, data-driven technical assistance, incorporating customized strategies that are easy to implement and result in your ability to achieve greater success in your cases.(Can you help me draft a brief and arguments for a forfeiture by wrongdoing motion? How do I determine if I should try the multiple defendants in my case together or separately? Is there value in collaborating with the civil attorney representing the victim in my case?) Practical Application; We help you identify and leverage the best and most promising practices along with the latest social science research and law.(How can my community begin to utilize a lethality assessment protocol? How can my office assess and improve our sexual violence prosecution practices? How can my community better identify and respond to witness intimidation?) Case Specific Inquiries. AEquitas provides substantive information about the state of the law and specific research to support your case. We do this through specialized research based upon the facts of the case, the jurisdiction, and more. (Do you have sample voir dire questions that I can use to begin educating my jury about victim behavior and response to trauma? How do I conduct a rape shield analysis and can you help me anticipate potential defense tactics prior to trial?  How can I analyze a defense claim of pre accusatorial delay in a cold case sexual assault?)

Trainings Staff available to provide customized training related to sexual violence, domestic and intimate partner violence, stalking, human trafficking, child abuse, elder abuse, and witness intimidation. On-site or web-based; tailored to specific jurisdictions and scope. Archives available at aequitasresource.org/resources/

Partnership & Initiatives Committed to a number of initiatives to support governments and NGO’s in the U.S. and around the world. We work both independently and with partners to develop responses to gender-based violence and human trafficking cases. Some ongoing initiatives: Sexual Assualt Justice Initiative (SAJI), Stalking Prevention and Awareness Center (SPARC), National Sexual Assault Kit Initiative, Enhancing Law Enforcement Human Trafficking Task Force Operations. Some past initiatives: Prosecuting Elder Abuse, Prosecuting Sexual Abuse in Confinement

NEW WEBSITE: https://aequitasresource.org Follow AEquitas @AEquitasResourc @aequitas_resource NEW WEBSITE: https://aequitasresource.org

Jonathan Kurland