Attorney General Jennifer Davenport announced on Apr. 21 the creation of the Attorney General’s Victims’ Rights Council (VRC), a new body designed to improve communication and policy development for crime victims and survivors in New Jersey. The council will be overseen by the Division of Violence Intervention and Victim Assistance (VIVA).
The VRC aims to bring together professionals, specialists, and individuals with lived experience to strengthen victims’ rights, diversify services, and create strategies that address issues facing victims across the state. This initiative follows feedback from listening sessions held with county prosecutors’ offices, which highlighted a need for more consistent dialogue about critical victim issues.
“Victims and survivors of crime are uniquely positioned to help shape the policies that will affect not only their healing journeys, but their experiences with our criminal justice system,” said Attorney General Jennifer Davenport. “Today we are continuing New Jersey’s legacy of victim advocacy by creating a council where their voices will be heard.”
Patricia Teffenhart, Executive Director of VIVA, said: “VIVA was created, in part, to ensure that the needs and perspectives of victims and survivors are a central element of our public safety policy and decision making. The establishment of the VRC gives us a critical tool to receive timely and consistent feedback and recommendations from our stakeholders.” Kara Webster, Director of OTCJP (Office of Trial and Criminal Justice Process), added: “The creation of the VRC is a dream come true… taking a ground-up approach when developing new policies… ensures that they better reflect the true needs of survivors.”
The VRC will include over 30 stakeholders from inside and outside law enforcement—such as advocates, forensic nurses, prosecutors, nonprofit service providers, corrections officials, courts representatives—and will focus on trauma-informed practices. Its objectives include identifying challenges facing victims within or outside criminal justice; improving victim experiences; expanding pathways for justice; enforcing existing rights; advocating for new rights; preventing systemic problems through policy changes; planning long-term improvements including legislative initiatives; and responding quickly to statewide issues.
According to the official website, the New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin holds statewide authority over law enforcement matters—including legal representation for state agencies—and delivers support services such as crime lab operations, victim advocacy programs like those run by VIVA or similar divisions.Platkin’s office operates throughout all counties in New Jersey aiming at protecting residents’ lives while upholding legal standards.It also influences public safety through oversight roles, ensuring uniform application across municipalities.Its statutory mandate covers prosecution powers as well as regulation around public safety concerns statewide.Services extend further into consumer protection initiatives, showing broad commitment toward justice.
Looking ahead, one priority for the newly formed council is establishing survivor-centered processes so direct input from victims shapes future responses—a step organizers say is essential for effective change-making.
