About Us
AEquitas’ mission is to advance justice in cases of sexual violence, intimate partner violence, stalking, and human trafficking by equipping prosecutors and their multidisciplinary partners with the training, expertise, and strategies to hold offenders accountable and deliver fair, effective justice for survivors.
We are AEquitas (EH-qui-tahs)
Values
Credibility
Former prosecutors and subject matter experts with decades of experience.
Candor
Expert analysis of policy, law and practice.
Clarity
Straightforward and practical resources that promote best practices.
Compassion
Consideration of our impact on individuals and our community throughout the decision making process.
Commitment
Unwavering dedication to the just and fair application of the law.
Approach
Victim Centered
We develop and promote innovative strategies that inspire a paradigm shift from victim-blaming to victim-centered. We also consider the impact the criminal justice process has on victims, their families, and their communities. Ultimately, we strive to achieve case outcomes that hold offenders accountable while taking victims' experiences and perspectives into account.
Offender Focused
We challenge prosecutors and allied professionals to develop and employ offender-focused strategies driven by accurate and unbiased case analyses and thorough understanding of applicable law. Offenders intentionally target victims whom they believe they can assault, smear, and intimidate. Our approach ensures the protection of victims' rights while focusing on the offenders' actions, behaviors, characteristics, and intent.
Collaborative
We work jointly with line-level prosecutors and allied professionals to evaluate and refine our resources and curricula to respond to emerging issues and promote promising practices. Our partnerships help systems work collaboratively to provide a coordinated response, allowing more victims to access services and participate in the process, and more offenders to be held accountable – improving safety for communities and victims.
History
"But justice, though due the accused, is due the accuser also. The concept of fairness must not be strained till it is narrowed to a filament. We are to keep the balance true."
Justice Benjamin N. Cardozo
Snyder v. Massachusetts, 291 U.S. 97 (1934)
Named after the Roman goddess of equity and fairness, AEquitas was established to support prosecutors in their individual and collective efforts to achieve justice in sexual violence, intimate partner violence, stalking and human trafficking cases.
Among others, Alex Busansky, Cindy Dyer, Denise Gamache, the late Lorraine W. Gentile, Jan Langbein, Joyce Lukima, Delilah Rumburg, and the late Teresa Scalzo—a prosecutor, mentor, and true champion for justice—were all instrumental in the founding of AEquitas.
