End Violence Against Women International has recognized Ramsey County Attorney John Choi for his work in how the county responds to sexual assaults.
Choi was given the nonprofit’s professional impact award at its 20th annual conference, held over three days this week in Chicago. In presenting the award, CEO Joanne Archambault highlighted Choi’s influence in the community’s response to violence against women.
In 2016, Ramsey County launched a public awareness campaign designed to change the way the community, law enforcement, prosecution and criminal justice partners respond to sexual violence.
Two years later, the attorney’s office released the Ramsey County Sexual Assault Systems Review, which outlined recommendations to improve criminal justice system response to ensure victims feel supported and offenders are brought to justice. One immediate outcome was the hiring of two additional sexual violence services advocates and two sexual assault investigators for St. Paul police.
The county’s Sexual Assault Response Collaboration was formed in 2019, providing reforms in how system responders collaborate to better serve sexual assault victims.
“County Attorney Choi was willing to recognize that we can do better,” Archambault said. “When we work hard, we often think it means we’re doing our very best. But we must listen to survivors and honestly ask ourselves if we can do better. Ramsey County has been willing to ask tough questions, listen without being defensive and implement real change to fill the gaps to better protect and serve our communities.”
Choi said the work is a “product of many dedicated individuals who understand the power of working together to provide justice and healing for victims. Through interagency collaboration, we now see more cases being presented to our office and victims who feel that they are believed and supported.”