Grant funds provide support for crime victims, witnesses

IOWA CITY - Support is on the way for victims of and witnesses to crimes prosecuted by the Johnson County Attorney's Office.

The Johnson County Board of Supervisors last week approved a contract with the Victim Services Support Program through the Iowa Attorney General's Crime Victim Assistance Division for a one-year grant in the amount of $108,377.

The money is being used to pay for one full-time and one part-time victim witness coordinator, who are to provide support, education and resources, and orient victims and witnesses to their rights and protections under the Iowa Victims and Crimes Act, the Domestic Abuse statutes and the justice system, including their rights to register for notification about a defendant's release.

One victim witness coordinator, Mischeale Luze, has been with Johnson County since 2010.

In 1986, Johnson County was the first in the state to add a victim witness coordinator. Since then, the county's population has increased 60 percent. From July 1, 2013, to June 30, 2015,

'This funding will have a profound impact on the way we are able to support victims and witnesses of crimes in Johnson County,” said Johnson County Attorney Janet Lyness. 'Additional staff will increase direct communication and response for all victims, most importantly at the earliest stage of the criminal justice process for victims of violent crime.”

The Johnson County Attorney's Office is finalizing job descriptions and expects to begin accepting applications in a few weeks. Depending on funding availability, the grant award may be renewable for two additional years.