FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (February 6, 2020) – The Crime Victim’s Rights Act of 2004 granted victims the right to be notified of certain developments in their cases, including changes to the defendant’s confinement status. Victims sometimes had not been notified, or when they were notified, it was after the defendant’s release. This is a gap in victim service delivery that deprives victims of this right, compromises victim safety, and causes a feeling of re-victimization.

“The Attorney General’s Office launch of the Victim Information and Notification Everyday (VINE) program is an important step towards closing the victim notification gap, and I look forward to prompt and continued expansion of the system, to include automatic notification of time of actual release.”

Victims will now be able to access and, if they choose, to be actively notified of court hearing dates and outcomes. They will no longer have to wait for phone calls or call themselves to obtain this information.

“Having timely, reliable information at their fingertips, on their computer or mobile device, accessible twenty-four hours a day, is vital to victim engagement, empowerment, and safety. I look forward to and will continue to support other measures to ensure victim safety and enhance victim service delivery.”  

To access VINE visit vinelink.com, download the VINELink APP or call 1-877-484-8463.

For more information feel free to call the Office of Senator Therese Terlaje at 472-3586, or email senatorterlajeguam@gmail.com.