Press Release

Anchorage District Attorney's Office Announces New Partnership with Victims For Justice

April 21, 2020

(Anchorage, AK) – The Anchorage District Attorney’s Office today announced the creation of a partnership with Victims for Justice (VFJ), an nonprofit victim services organization providing services for Alaskans who have been victims of violent crimes.

Under the new agreement, a crime victim advocate from VFJ will be able to serve victims directly from an office located within the district attorney’s office. The partnership will also provide mutual training opportunities, allowing paralegals and prosecutors to learn more of the services VFJ provides while at the same time providing guidance to the VFJ advocate in criminal law protocols and procedures.

“We are looking forward to this partnership as part of our ongoing efforts to assist victims of violent crime,” said Brittany Dunlop, current Anchorage Deputy District Attorney who will take over leadership of the Anchorage office at the end of the month. “The compassion and energy that VFJ brings to the mission is invaluable to our community and the populations we serve.”

Persons victimized by violent crime can be overwhelmed and confused by the criminal justice system, particularly when they are suffering from the immediate effects of the trauma they have experienced. VFJ advocates can provide information and resources on the criminal justice process as well as emotional and financial assistance. Advocates can also accompany victims to court hearings and help them to understand and navigate the criminal justice system.

Though this collaboration, the district attorney’s office and VFJ will actively work together to identify underserved victims of crime to ensure that appropriate responses, services, and referrals are made. The services will be provided in an effort to improve the criminal justice process and provide early intervention supports to victims of violent crime in Anchorage.

For more information on Victims for Justice, go to https://victimsforjustice.org/.

CONTACT: Victim Witness Program Coordinator Susie Frenzel at Susie.Frenzel@alaska.gov.

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Department Media Contacts: Communications Director Patty Sullivan at patty.sullivan@alaska.gov or (907) 269-6368. Information Officer Sam Curtis at sam.curtis@alaska.gov or (907) 269-6269.