WTC Records Folder 0128 Disaster Information General label, 2001

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

Responding to Terrorism Victims - Oklahoma City and Beyond Page 7 of 10

Discussion Prosecutors and victim-witness coordinators are required to follow the AG Guidelines to ensure that they are in compliance with federal laws and U.S. Department of Justice policy regarding victims. Cases involving large numbers of victims and victims living in many parts of the country or the world may require special funding and the development of creative measures. Offices may consider tools such as toll-free information lines, special Web sites for victims, and the development of specific information guides for keeping victims informed of case events and for providing information about services3 Prosecutors should work with the court to facilitate victim participation. Large numbers of victims may pose challenges for enabling victims to present victim impact information at sentencing. Prosecutors should work with the victims to develop a plan that will allow as many victims as possible to present their information orally or in writing.

D. In cases where there is a change of venue, prosecutors should work with the court to ensure that reasonable efforts are made to make a closed-circuit telecast of the trial available to as many victims as possible, to identify resources for travel assistance, and to identify and put into place support for victims in the community in which the trial is being held.

Discussion Facilities for closed-circuit viewing by victims should be designed or selected with sensitivity to the needs of victims for privacy, reasonable comfort, and safety. Resources for victims' travel may come from private or public fiords. In the Oklahoma City bombing trials, a site was established in Oklahoma City for victims to view the trial, whereas four sites were established for victim families in the Pan Am Flight 103/Lockerbie trial, since victim families resided in 21 countries and 48 states. Assistance with victims traveling to the Oklahoma City bombing trials and the Pan Am Flight 103 trial received funding support from OVC because Congress passed special legislation enabling OVC to use VOCA funds to support these activities. The Denver community established an effective and extensive network of support for the Oklahoma City bombing victims traveling to the trial. In the case of the Pan Am Flight 1031Lockerbie trial, which is being held in the Netherlands, OVC has been able to provide finding for victim support staff and station them at the special court and to create a secure family waiting area in the court building.

E. When a terrorism act results in multiple trials, prosecutors and victim assistance professionals should coordinate their activities to reduce the demands and stresses on victims, surviving families, and witnesses.

Discussion Maintaining consistent communication between prosecutors and victim assistance professionals will help reduce confusion and duplication of efforts and ensure that the needs of both victims and the trial prosecutors are met in a timely manner.

http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ovc/publications/inforestrespterrorism/chap9.htm] 9/29/01

NYC-WTC 000137338