Monica DiGiandomenico boasts over 15 years of extensive experience encompassing project management, victim rights advocacy, criminal and civil investigations, and training and technical assistance. As a Senior Program Specialist at the National PREA Resource Center (PRC), Monica leverages her diverse background to drive impactful change within the criminal justice systems landscape. With a comprehensive understanding of state, federal, and military criminal justice systems, she navigates areas such as criminal defense, investigations, juvenile justice, compliance auditing, organizational culture change, intimate partner violence, and trauma-informed care.
In her current capacity, Monica leads the zero-tolerance culture change initiative at the PRC, notably spearheading the development of a baseline assessment tool for correctional facilities. This tool empowers facilities to self-evaluate their susceptibility to sexual violence. Previously, she made significant contributions to programs like Field Training, Auditor Oversight, and Auditor Continuing Education and Support Programs.
Before her tenure at the PRC, Monica served as the Sexual Assault Response Coordinator for the Department of Defense and agency-wide PREA Coordinator for the Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice. Her dedication to civil rights and criminal justice reform is further evidenced by her roles as a contracted Investigator and Outreach Specialist for the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division and Senior Investigator for the Virginia Indigent Defense Commission at the Fairfax County Public Defender’s Office. She also held roles as a Humane Law Enforcement Officer and a Master Patrol Officer at the George Washington University Police Department, among others.
Monica’s multifaceted experience, which spans criminal defense, victim advocacy, law enforcement, and civil rights protection, equips her with a nuanced understanding of judicial complexities. She holds a dual bachelor’s degree in criminal justice studies and sociology from The University of Dayton and a master’s in forensic science from George Washington University. Additionally, Monica is certified by the Department of Justice as a PREA auditor for adult and juvenile facilities.