Each semester, the course content of CRJ300 changes to cover current topics impacting public justice. Omara Rivera-Vazquez, who teaches criminal justice, saw a need for programming and discussed the possibility of offering a course on human trafficking with department chair Roger Guy. With his support, the class was offered this fall. Read More
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Domestic violence is the cause of at least 50% of Vermont's homicides each year. This trend was recently highlighted once again after a man told police he killed his wife during a trip to Bolton for their one-year wedding anniversary in October, court papers show. Read More
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On July 21, 2021, the Senate voted unanimously in favor of financial rescue for the cash-strapped VOCA program! For the first time in history, the votes were 100 - 0 in favor! This is a huge win for crime victims and crime victim's services! Read More
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A group of people committed to helping to end child abuse such as they experienced at the former St. Joseph's Orphanage in Burlington has made progress on several fronts. Members of the Voices of St. Joseph's Orphanage report momentum in their effort to obtain atonement for past abuse, and to prevent the same in the future. In the Vermont Senate, the chamber's Judiciary Committee has passed legislation, S. 99, Removal of the Statute of Limitations for Physical Abuse. Read More
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Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital (NVRH) has received the Vermont Prevention Center of Excellence’s Grant which is a one-year grant opportunity with goals to reduce underage drinking, high-risk alcohol consumption, marijuana and tobacco misuse, prescription drug and stimulant misuse, and illicit stimulants and opioids. In order to build prevention capacity and infrastructure at the community, as well as regional levels, NVRH is partnering with Umbrella Inc. Read More
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“Starting to really look at the root causes. Starting to address trauma in real and authentic ways. Starting to understand the impact of not being able to meet basic needs. How do we start addressing that? How do we provide adequate health care and mental health care?” she said. “The only way we’re going to be able to create change is to have honest conversations.” Read More
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Mention “human trafficking” in the same sentence with “Vermont,” and the reaction may be one of surprise and disbelief. Although Vermont may seem insulated from such a horrendous and insidious crime, even in the Green Mountain State human trafficking is hidden in plain sight. As with most public health issues, awareness is key to the prevention of human trafficking. Read More
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Labor trafficking is a form of human trafficking that is happening in communities across the United States. Blue Campaign’s public service announcement shows a labor trafficking scenario taking place in an everyday neighborhood. Read More
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Anna Nasset believes she should be dead. She is among the extremely small percentage of stalking survivors who successfully put her offender behind bars. In 2019, the man who stalked her was sentenced to 10 years in prison, granting her what she calls “a decade of freedom.” Read More
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Attorney General TJ Donovan is asking lawmakers to restrict a policy that allows certain prisoners to earn reduced time off their sentences. Donovan doesn’t want it to apply to people convicted of murder or sexual assault. The policy was passed earlier this year as part of a criminal justice reform package called Justice Reinvestment II, aimed at keeping people out of prison, reducing recidivism and limiting the state’s furlough system. Under the so-called “good time” policy, starting in 2021, inmates can begin to earn seven days per month off their minimum and maximum sentences by obeying rules and meeting Department of Corrections requirements. Read More
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