What keeps survivors of sexual assault from engaging with the criminal justice system—and what’s changing?

In Part 2 of Inside the Justice System, Danielle Elleman (Associate Director, Sexual & Relationship Respect Services) and co-host Sage Letella continue their conversation with Hannah Pennington, Deputy Chief for Gender-Based Violence Policy, and Phoebe Rosenfeld, Assistant District Attorney at the Manhattan DA’s Office.

Together, they dive deeper into the realities behind reporting, from fear of retaliation to immigration concerns, mental health, and mistrust of law enforcement. The guests share how the DA’s office is working to close those gaps—through trauma-informed prosecution, a Special Victims Division Advisory Council, a Survivor Network, and alternatives to incarceration such as the Pathways to Public Safety Division.

They also explore how restorative justice practices and expert testimony are changing how juries—and society—understand sexual violence.

💜 This episode continues our Domestic Violence Awareness Month series, highlighting the complex, human stories behind policy and prosecution.

⚠️ Activation Warning: This episode discusses sexual violence, intimate partner violence, and trauma. Please take care while listening. NYU students can reach out to the Wellness Exchange at 212-443-9999 or via the Wellness Exchange app.

Resources:

• National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233

• National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673

• NYC HOPE Hotline (people who have experienced sexual assault, intimate partner violence, domestic violence, trafficking, etc): 1-800-621-HOPE (4673)

• Manhattan District Attorney's Office Initiate Partner Violence Bureau (helpline, not 24/7): 212-335-9373

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

Stay tuned for our final part 3, where we continue this important conversation about the realities of seeking help, healing, and change during Domestic Violence Awareness Month and beyond.