Beverly Gilchrist
Director of Victim Services - New York County District Attorney’s Office
Beverly Gilchrist is the Chief for Survivor Services in the New York County District Attorney’s Office (DANY). In this role she provides oversight of Survivor Services throughout the entire New York County District Attorney’s Office. This includes but is not limited to general trial bureaus, Violent Crimes Unit, Post Justice Conviction Integrity Unit, Police Accountability Unit, the Special Victims Division, and Intimate Partner & Sexual Violence Unit. While providing oversight and leadership to the Survivor Services Bureau, Beverly provides advisement to the Honorable District Attorney Alvin Bragg, Executive District Attorney leadership and the Assistant District Attorneys throughout the office on best practices and protocols in victim and survivor services.
Beverly began her career as a Victim Advocate in the Survivor Services Bureau formerly known as Witness Aid Services Unit (WASU) in September 1990 and progressed over the course of 30+ years holding positions within WASU as a Social Services Worker, Deputy Supervisor, Deputy Director, and Deputy Division Chief of the Special Victims Division.
Beverly brings to this work a dedicated history of trauma informed perspectives and thirst for justice for victims and survivors. Beverly has worked with thousands of survivors over her tenure, including but not limited to, sexual assault, child abuse, domestic violence, elder abuse, violent crime, and homicide survivors. Beverly is her office’s victim service liaison to the Mayor’s Office, Manhattan Family Justice Center. Beverly is also a lead trainer on victim services issues for assistant district attorneys, NYPD, community, and hospital-based organizations. Beverly is a member of the Manhattan Sexual Assault Task Force and The Downstate Coalition. Beverly has served on and The New York City Crime Victims Vigil committee and continues to volunteer for their annual event. Additionally, to enhance best practices on issues regarding sexual assault Beverly previously co-chaired DANY’s Prosecution and Community Advocates Collaborative Working Group.
Beverly holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Hunter College and a master’s degree in Criminal Justice from John Jay College.
Beverly is also a 2023 graduate of CORO’s Leadership New York program. The Leadership New York program is a competitively selected 175+ hour experiential leadership development program. CORO is one of NYC’s premier civic leadership programs.