Special Victims Bureau
In 1992, District Attorney Fitzpatrick created the Special Victims Bureau to handle cases involving child sexual and physical abuse, sexual assaults against adults, and domestic violence. The mission of the Bureau is to hold accountable perpetrators of the system’s most sensitive crimes, while at the same time treating the victim with sensitivity, dignity and respect. This mission starts with ensuring that all Assistant District Attorneys and Investigators assigned to the bureau are experienced and properly trained. A large volume of these cases occur within the family setting. The inherent dynamics of interfamilial cases make them exceptionally challenging. Assistant District Attorneys in the Special Victims Bureau and Municipal Court Bureau who are assigned to prosecute domestic violence, child abuse or sexual assault cases are often required to act as victim advocates and counselors as well as prosecutors.