PHILADELPHIA (March 5, 2024) — District Attorney Larry Krasner joined survivors and co-survivors of homicide and violent crime on Tuesday to announce that the application process for the District Attorney’s Office Crime Victims Advisory Council is now open, following a hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.Launched in June of 2018, the CVAC will once again be composed of over one dozen Philadelphia residents who have felt the trauma of violent crime, including homicide, sexual assault, and domestic violence. These brave individuals will provide recommendations to the DAO’s Victim Support Services Division that range from how to reduce victims’ trauma to improving victim services and supporting crime witnesses. Eligibility for the CVAC includes the following:
- Must be a survivor or co-survivor of violent crime;
- Must be a resident of Philadelphia County;
- Must be able and committed to attend monthly CVAC meetings and work collaboratively with the Council in fulfilling its mission.
Crime survivors who are interested in applying to volunteer with the CVAC should contact the DAO’s Chief of Staff, Jennifer Lin ([email protected]) and the DAO’s Chief of Community Engagement, G. Lamar Stewart ([email protected]) without delay. The deadline for applications is Friday, March 15.In addition to the opening of the CVAC application process, DA Krasner is pleased to announce that Movita Johnson-Harrell will be brought on as a consultant to the DAO to share strategies to improve direct and referral services for crime witnesses, survivors, and co-survivors. Johnson-Harrell will serve as a consultant to DA Krasner and the office’s executive team for three months.“The Crime Victim Advisory Council was very helpful and supportive of the work of this office prior to the pandemic,” DA Krasner said. “It is now time to reconstitute the CVAC, not only because we should have them advising and providing us with their invaluable input as they meet with our office’s executive team, but because they will help strengthen existing relationships with external victim service providers. I urge qualified individuals to contact our office immediately. There’s no time for delay.
“And finally, I’m also thrilled to have Movita Johnson-Harrell connected with this office again. As someone who pioneered our Crisis Assistance Response and Engagement for Survivors (CARES) team years ago, she will once again bring immeasurable experience, leadership, and strength to the hard work that our victim and witness coordinators do every day in her capacity as a consultant.”“My daughter, Dominique Oglesby, was shot and killed on March 18, 2018, just a couple of months shy of graduating from Penn State with honors,” said Danielle Oglesby, a homicide co-survivor. “She was God-fearing, she was smart, she was beautiful, and she was goal-driven. And sadly, I stand here before you a survivor dealing with PTSD. It is of extreme importance that survivors have the support that we need. That’s why the CVAC is much needed and much appreciated, because resources like this Council can help avoid re-traumatization.”
“Fourteen years ago, my youngest son John was murdered. He was 38-years-old and worked for the city,” said Phyliss Gibson, another homicide co-survivor. “His childhood friends robbed and killed him. After the perpetrators were arrested and charged, the District Attorney’s Office CARES team helped get me through some dark times, providing comfort, resources, and more. The advocate became part of my family because when I needed them, they were there. But with a CVAC in place, support for mothers, fathers, siblings, neighbors, and friends will only increase, and that’s extremely important.”The DAO anticipates announcing the full CVAC membership no later than Monday, April 1, and expects the CVAC to formally resume its work in Spring of this year.
MEDIA CONTACT:Dustin Slaughter, [email protected], 215-686-8713
###
The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office is the largest prosecutor’s office in Pennsylvania, and one of the largest in the nation. It serves the more than 1.5 million residents of the City and County of Philadelphia, employing 600 lawyers, detectives, and support staff. The District Attorney’s Office is responsible for the prosecution of approximately 40,000 criminal cases annually. Learn more about the DAO by visiting PhillyDA.org.