Minutes for Task Force on Hate Crimes Victim Support Subcommittee Meeting

1. Call to Order 

The meeting was called to order by Undersecretary Gina Kwon at 2:05 p.m.                                                                                                                                                                        

EOPSS Staff: Anjeza Xhemollari, Lisa Caputo, and Adrian Hatch. 

2. Welcome  

Undersecretary Gina Kwon welcomed all subcommittee members, and attendance was taken. 

After nomination, a second motion, and a roll call vote, Robert Trestan and DA Anthony Gulluni were named co-chairs of this subcommittee. 

3. Goals and Objectives 

All members of the Victim Support Subcommittee had a deep discussion on goals and objectives.  

Two immediate goals were established for this subcommittee: 

• Conducting a statewide assessment of service providers/agencies for victims of hate crimes and hate-based incidents. 
• Exploring a broader institutional statewide victim response model for victims of hate crimes and hate-based incidents.   

The victims are at the forefront of this subcommittee as they are at the center of hate crimes and affect the community as well.  Having the input of victims who have been victimized to learn the positive things about the court system and where the barriers exist is necessary. 

In furtherance of the first goal, each subcommittee member will conduct a regional assessment of providers/organizations/agencies that service victims of hate crimes and hate-based incidents. Subcommittee members will focus on organizations/agencies other than prosecutorial offices like the District Attorneys' offices, the Office of Attorney General, and the US Attorney’s Office. 

The following regions have been assigned: 

• Dara Kaufman: Berkshire County
• DA Anthony Gulluni: Hampden, Franklin, Hampshire counties
• Margaret Rwaramba: Worcester County
• Robert Trestan: Norfolk, Middlesex Counties
• Dr. Nawal Nour: Bristol, Plymouth Counties
• Izzy Marrero: Suffolk, Essex Counties
• Ana Javier: Suffolk, Cape & Islands
• Anna Johnson: Worcester County (added after the meeting by Anjeza)  

This subcommittee will also consider the long-term mental health issues that occur and the support systems that are available when examining the assessment by geographic location. 

To assist this subcommittee, the role of the Victim Witness Advocate in each of the eleven DA’s offices, the SafePlan Advocates, the US Attorney’s Office, and the Office of Attorney General’s role was discussed. It was determined that the District Attorney Offices are in the best position as they are in the courts, familiar with the community's population, and familiar with community-based organizations.  

It was discussed that being able to report a hate crime should be easy and recognizing that being able to report something that happened to them isn’t always a crime. Addressing communities to educate them about hate-based incidents and having resources available would be beneficial. 

Looking at models in other states, such as Oregon AG’s Office and LA vs. Hate, was an immediate second goal for this subcommittee. Robert Trestan will reach out on behalf of this subcommittee to invite the Oregon AG’s Office and LA vs. Hate to present to the full Task Force on Hate Crimes at the next meeting in September or December. 

4. Meeting Frequency   

The third Tuesday every other month was agreed upon.  The next scheduled meeting is October 17, 2023. 

5. Open Session for Topics not Reasonably Anticipated within 48 Hours of the Meeting 

No topics were presented. 

6. Adjourn 

The Meeting was adjourned at 2:47 p.m.