Oklahoma City , Ok.- Attorney General Drew Edmondson today announced his office has been awarded a $1.1 million federal grant to implement a statewide notification system that will notify Victim Protective Order (VPO) applicants about the status of their requests.
Edmondson said the system could save lives of Oklahomans fearing for their safety due to domestic violence or stalking.
“The criminal tracking system we are currently implementing will help crime victims track their offenders once they are taken into custody,” Edmondson said. “The additional grant money will be used to notify domestic violence victims about the status of requested VPOs prior to an arrest being made.”
Earlier this year, Edmondson announced his office had been awarded almost $1.2 million in federal grant money from the Office on Violence Against Women to implement Oklahoma’s first automated statewide criminal tracking and victim notification system. VINE, which is an acronym for Victim Information and Notification Everyday, is currently being implemented in all 77 counties. The system allows crime victims and others to register to be notified of changes in status of Oklahoma offenders and inmates.
The additional grant money will allow Oklahomans who apply for a VPO to register to be notified when the VPO is granted, when it is served, when it expires and of any court dates related to the request.
“This effort significantly strengthens the abilities of law enforcement and the judicial process to protect victims and potential victims from those who would do them harm,” said Oklahoma Supreme Court Chief Justice Joseph M. Watt. “I am extremely pleased that the federal grant application process has favored Oklahoma in this regard and look forward to the full implementation of this new system.”
Currently, Oklahomans requesting a VPO must apply in the county court clerk’s office. Edmondson said his office will work with the Administrative Office of the Courts and the court clerks to implement the new system, and he hopes to have it online in all 77 counties within two years.
“This is a great tool for victims,” said Rhonda Hall, president of the Oklahoma Court Clerks’ Association. “Through this system, victims will be able to track their assailants and plan for the safety of themselves and their children.”
Edmondson’s office is charged with overseeing certification for all Oklahoma domestic violence and sexual assault service providers.
For more information about VINE Protective Order®, please visit, www.appriss.com.
This project was supported by Grant No. 2006-WE-AX-0071 awarded by the Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women.