U-M DPSS Special Victims Unit celebrates 10 years

A small library off to the side of the road seems like just a building that many people drive by on their way somewhere else. But for four women at the University of Michigan, it’s where they gathered a little over 10 years ago and changed the Division of Public Safety and Security forever.

DPSS had never had a Special Victims Unit before, and that is what was about to change.

“I remember asking my boss at the time, before we ever had a team, ‘what if we had a detective just assigned to interpersonal partner violence (IPV) cases?’” said Margie Pillsbury, who was a detective at the University of Michigan Police Department before becoming the SVU Investigations Coordinator. “He said to me, ‘I don’t think there would be enough work for just one person.”’

Pillsbury, Maureen Burke, Paula Williams, and Kaitlin Deslatte were the only four UMPD officers that attended a voluntary training on IPV, which includes sexual assault, domestic abuse, and stalking. That training was the spark that started their journey for the next decade.

“In a way, what my boss said was true, we didn’t have that many,” said Pillsbury. “But I felt like we were providing an uneven response, in terms of being survivor-centered. People weren’t really talking about survivor-centered trauma response then.”

“Over lunch, we said, ‘oh my gosh we have so much room to grow as a division,’” said Burke, SVU Engagement Coordinator. “Then on the way home we pulled over at a public library and just started brainstorming. That was the foundation for us to push this forward. Fortunately we had great support from the division.”

The four women put together a proposal, knowing that DPSS would benefit from a dedicated response team to these crimes that are more sensitive than most. After the proposal was approved, the newly constructed SVU team began working cases.

“As we got the word out about the team, the numbers did increase, but then once the “Me Too” movement hit, it was like ‘oh my gosh,’” said Pillsbury. “Anytime these types of crimes are highlighted in the media, it empowers and encourages survivors who have never told their story to come forward.”

Burke was originally supposed to spend half of her time investigating crimes, and the other half working on educational and prevention initiatives.

“I was investigating full-time,” said Burke. “I didn't even have time for the other stuff. And the department had to increase the number of people on the team. It’s just grown from there, which is amazing – to have that support and belief in us.”

As the SVU team cases increased, including some high profile, other colleges around the state and country also began to form SVU units.

The positive changes that have come about over the last decade, both within the department and with how these cases have been handled by prosecutors.

“When we have a case where we’re worried about the victim’s safety after the arraignment, we’ve pushed for appropriate response,” said Pillsbury. “Whether that’s a higher bond, or gps tether, to help keep the victim safe, and we do the best we can to safety plan for them.”

Ten years since they sat in that library one afternoon, and while they believe there is still a long road ahead to help all survivors, they have a lot of accomplishments and moments that have made them proud.

“I think when we run into a survivor,” said Burke. “As frustrating, and tiring, and stressful as this is, when a survivor says that we made all the difference in the world to them, or they wouldn’t have made it through the last year or six months without us, that is the most rewarding.”

As the Special Victims Unit celebrates ten years, they want to make sure the campus community knows there is hope, support, victims will be believed, and every case will be investigated.

“One of the phrases that we started using early on, and still to this day is, ‘we want to keep people safe, and for them to feel safe,’” said Pillsbury. “If you don’t feel safe, you can’t do your job or your school work. And that’s a big part of what we try to do.”

The SVU team is available as a resource regardless of the pursuit of criminal processes. Anyone can reach out to them to explore options for their case even before determining if they want to file a report. To reach a member of the team, call (734) 763-1131.

To report a crime, click here.
To learn more about the SVU and their services, click here.
To learn more about Start By Believing, click here.