InformedLaw Order: Special Victims Unit : Sea...
Against overruled objections from Bonin's defense attorney, Fresno-based reporter David López waived his previously sought immunity under California's shield law and agreed to testify on behalf of the prosecution as to the details of seven interviews Bonin had granted him between December 1980 and April 1981.[315] In his testimony, delivered on December 14 and 15, López stated Bonin had first informed him he would refuse to talk with any other reporter if López would agree not to broadcast the precise details of the interview. López had agreed to these conditions, and Bonin had confessed to him on January 9[309] that he was indeed the Freeway Killer and that he had killed 21 victims. The victims' ages, Bonin had confided, had ranged between 12 and 19, with his youngest victim, Macabe, being the easiest victim to kill. According to López, Bonin had confided that although he resented the prospect of being executed, he had opted to kill repeatedly simply because he had enjoyed the "sound of kids dying".[316] López also testified Bonin had informed him he had killed one victim by repeatedly punching him in the throat,[60] and that the primary incentive for his revealing the location of King's body to authorities had actually been his knowledge police would purchase a hamburger for him as they searched San Bernardino County for the remains.[317][318] López further stated that when he asked Bonin what he would be doing if he were still at large, Bonin had replied: "I'd still be killing, I couldn't stop killing. It got easier with each one we did."[319]
InformedLaw Order: Special Victims Unit : Sea...
Bonin's first trial lasted until January 6, 1982. On this date, the jury convicted Bonin of ten of the murders for which he was tried,[324] although he was found not guilty of the murders of Lundgren and King, of committing sodomy upon Grabs, of committing mayhem upon Lundgren,[325] and of robbing one other victim. As these verdicts were read by the clerk of court, many relatives and friends of Bonin's victims wept openly. The following day, the prosecution and defense made alternate pleas for the actual sentence the jury should decide, with Norris requesting the death penalty and Charvet requesting life imprisonment.[326] On January 20, the jury further found that the special circumstances required within California state law (multiple murders and robbery) had been met in the ten murder cases for which they had found Bonin guilty, and thus unanimously recommended he receive the death penalty.[309]
State Attorney Rundle discussed the state of human trafficking in South Florida, digging deep into the efforts made to expose the realities of human trafficking and address issues with high efficiency. The State Attorney has led the Human Trafficking Unit through an innovative, trauma-informed law enforcement model for the investigation and prosecution of human trafficking. This Unit, one the best in the country, encompasses highly trained and specialized prosecutors, investigators and victim specialists. Since its inception, this groundbreaking Human Trafficking Unit has filed hundreds of cases and worked with hundreds of victims of human trafficking. [1]
Kwami Adoboe-Herrera is an anti-trafficking advocate, a consultant and a speaker. As a survivor himself, he understands the unfortunate impact of human trafficking around us. His lived experience guided his career and interests to support policies that help support victims as they navigate life after experiencing trafficking. Kwami was featured in a documentary called Break the Chain. The film provides a detailed look at how trafficking goes unnoticed within our backyards. Break the Chain was developed to provide an accurate and educational entertainment resource that can be utilized in training and community awareness events throughout the United States. Kwami is currently a member of Not for Sale: One Step at a Time, an organization that brings awareness and hope to this hardly seen issue in communities across Ohio, America, and around the world. With the help of God we will defeat this heinous crime against human life.
As an active licensed clinical social worker, certified clinical trauma professional, and an EMDR therapist, she actively engages individuals and couples with complex sexual trauma histories in her private practice. She further served as an advisory board member to The Life of Freedom Center (an anti-trafficking organization that serves adult women), as well as an educational consultant, community trainer, and crisis phone and community outreach specialist to women affected by commercial sexual exploitation and domestic sex trafficking. In broadening her anti-trafficking efforts, for a season, she also served as an advisory board member to Ark of Freedom Alliance (an anti-trafficking non-profit organization that serves males and the LGBTQ community). Mrs. Zaoui is often invited to present locally and nationally on the aforementioned population from a trauma informed care and trauma intervention stance, as such, Mrs. Zaoui was asked to join the Florida Human Trafficking Clinical Treatment & Intervention sub-group charged to identify research based best practices for DMST, CSEC and adults.
Dr. Kanathy Haney is a health sciences professor and chair of the human trafficking coalition at Palm Beach State College and guest lecturer at the University of Florida. Dr. Haney is working to spread awareness and prevention of human trafficking from a public health social work perspective. She believes that by better understanding the nature of trauma she can create evidence-based community interventions and harm reduction strategies. Dr. Haney advocates for a multi-disciplinary approach to reduce mental health and substance use issues among human trafficking victims and survivors by implementing an effective trauma-informed and survivor-centered continuum of care. She also places importance on the ability of professionals in the field to identify those affected by human trafficking, associated risk factors and intersections. Dr. Haney is a member of the Human Trafficking Coalition of the Palm Beaches and the Palm Beach County Human Trafficking Task Force. Her goal is to advocate the public health issue of human trafficking around the globe to reduce health disparities and enhance social justice. Dr. Haney received her doctorate in public health at the University of Florida in which she focused her dissertation on sex trafficking in the United States. She received a masters of science in health education and promotion as well as her bachelors of social work degree with a child welfare certificate from Florida Atlantic University.
In 2005, Congress reauthorized VAWA through the Violence Against Women and Department of Justice Reauthorization Act (P.L. 109-162; VAWA 2005).85 VAWA 2005 added protections for battered and/or trafficked nonimmigrants,86 programs for American Indian victims, and programs designed to improve the public health response to domestic violence. The act emphasized collaboration among law enforcement; health and housing professionals; and women, men, and youth alliances, and it encourages community initiatives to address these issues.
VAWA 2013 added housing rights for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking, including a provision stating that applicants may not be denied public housing assistance based on their status as victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking. It also required each executive department carrying out a covered housing program108 to adopt a plan whereby tenants who are victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking can be transferred to another available and safe unit of assisted housing. Additionally, it required the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to establish policies and procedures under which a victim requesting such a transfer may receive Section 8 assistance under the U.S. Housing Act of 1937.109
As there are further developments in the fields of criminal justice and public health, researchers and practitioners report new and developing approaches and methods for law enforcement and other criminal justice personnel in working with victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking. Congress may consider these new approaches when debating additions to grant purpose areas or encouraging states to adopt certain practices. For example, over the last decade there has been a push for criminal justice professionals to incorporate trauma-informed policing and response policies.127 Congress may consider requiring law enforcement grantees to incorporate trauma-informed training and policies into their required training or standard operating procedures or creating new funding opportunities to develop these trainings and policies.128 Of note, OVW has supported several initiatives related to trauma-informed approaches.129 Other new and developing approaches include, but are not limited to, new protocols for police officers about when they would activate their body-worn cameras as they interact with victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, or stalking and so-called "red flag" laws that allow law enforcement or family members to petition a court to have firearms removed from those who are a danger to themselves or others.
The purpose of this grant program is to develop and enhance effective plans for tribal governments to reduce crimes of violence against American Indian women who are victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, sex trafficking, and stalking and improve services for these women; increase the ability of a tribal government to respond to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, sex trafficking, and stalking; strengthen the tribal criminal justice system; create community education and prevention campaigns; address the needs of children who witness domestic violence; provide supervised visitation and safe exchange programs; and provide transitional housing assistance and legal assistance. 041b061a72