2007 OVC News and Announcements Archive
Here you will find information about past training sessions, NCVRW activities, and other crime victim services and awareness efforts during 2007. To view an announcement, click on its title below. To view current announcements, visit the main News and Announcements page.
Use the links below to be taken to the News and Announcements Archives.
Current News | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005
New Guide for Agencies Serving Survivors of Multiple Victimizations
Survivors of multiple sexual assault victimizations often need more and subtly different advocacy than sexual assault survivors who have been victimized only once. Rape crisis centers and other agencies serving sexual assault survivors sometimes struggle to provide the intensive resources and services that many of these survivors need or want.
Developed under an OVC grant to the University of Iowa School of Social Work, Helping Sexual Assault Survivors with Multiple Victimizations and Needs: A Guide for Agencies Serving Sexual Assault Survivors identifies issues, considerations, and needs unique to survivors who have experienced multiple victimizations. It also offers advocacy agencies practical strategies for assessing and enhancing their responses to this specific population.
Copies of the guide may be obtained free of charge by contacting—
Bev Sweet
School of Social Work
The University of Iowa
308 North Hall
Iowa City, IA 52242
319-335-1251
Fax: 319-335-1711
A PDF (1 mb) version of the guide is also available.
View the OVC Web Forum discussion on Sexual Assault Response Teams to learn more about serving victims of sexual assault.
## 12/20/07 ##
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 Online Newsletter Highlights Latest Crime Victimization Products and Services
The Justice Resource Update (JRU) Volume 1, Issue 2 features a variety of resources that focus on child safety and crime victimization. This issue also addresses training opportunities for service providers, crime victims with disabilities, police-community partnerships focusing on domestic violence, protecting victims of stalking and analyzing repeat victimization, information on the launch of the new legal database VictimLaw.info and a federal Directory listing agencies that assist in safe recovery of missing children.
The Justice Resource Update (JRU) is published quarterly by the Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice, to highlight themes and events and to inform the public on the latest information about the Office of Justice Programs (OJP) and other components of the U.S. Department of Justice and the Executive Branch.
Additional information on the topics and issues featured in the Justice Resource Update is available from the National Criminal Justice Reference Service (NCJRS). To sign up to receive this online newsletter, register with NCJRS.
## 09/18/07 ##
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Victims of Violence: A Guide to Help Bring Justice
The California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training has released a DVD for law enforcement officers, victim advocacy groups, victim outreach programs, and victim service providers.
Through the testimonials of victims of violent crime, Victims of Violence: A Guide to Help Bring Justice gives insight into victims' experiences with the criminal justice system in the key areas of violent crime investigative procedures, the criminal justice process, and courtroom proceedings.
The DVD is available through the National Criminal Justice Reference Service; search for NCJ 218357.
## 09/10/07 ##
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 Calendar of Events Screensaver Keeps You Informed
OVC has released a new screensaver to highlight the National Calendar of Crime Victim Assistance-Related Events. The Calendar of Events is the leading resource for locating and promoting events about crime victims' rights and services. The screensaver is a dynamic tool that delivers information about upcoming events directly to your computer and is functional with or without an Internet connection.
Download the Calendar of Events screensaver from OVC's screensaver gallery or preview the screensaver online. You will need Flash Player 8 to enjoy the preview.
## 08/08/07 ##
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OVC TTAC Has a New Look
The OVC Training and Technical Assistance Center (OVC TTAC) Web site has been redesigned in a new and easier-to-use format. Check out the site's Training Center to stay abreast of current issues through upcoming trainings, conferences, and online learning.
New features from OVC TTAC:
- Sexual Assault Advocate/Counselor Training Download Center. Trainers can gather all the materials needed to conduct advocate training from the download center. The curriculum teaches advocates how to provide competent, effective crisis intervention services.
- National Victim Assistance Academy. This week-long training session, to be held in December 2007, will feature an all-new curriculum and provide skill-based classroom trainings for victim service professionals.
OVC continues to offer Professional Development Scholarships in 2007 to those who work with victims of crime. Subscribe to the OVC TTAC listserv to receive notification of future training events and announcements.
## 08/08/07 ##
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Oral History Video Archive of the Victims' Field Available Online
The Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) announces a unique resource that traces the history of the victims' rights movement and its evolution. The Oral History Project of the Crime Victim Assistance Field is the story of the victims' rights movement as documented through multiple interviews, photographs, and video, audio, and other textual documents of significance to the victim assistance field.
Researchers, academicians, victim assistance providers, news media, and students can access this information online now. The entire collection-with more than 55 hours of interviews from 65 individuals-is housed onsite at the University of Akron's library in Ohio. Visitors to the library archive will have access to the full collection of historical documents that were cataloged as part of the library's holdings.
The Oral History Project of the Crime Victim Assistance Field was documented by Justice Solutions through a cooperative agreement with OVC. Questions about the project can be directed via e-mail to David Beatty, Project Manager, Justice Solutions.
## 06/12/07 ##
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OVC Announces Fall/Winter 2007 Training Schedule
OVC's Training and Technical Assistance Center (TTAC) has just released its Fall/Winter 2007 Training Schedule for Victim Service Providers. To ensure an interactive learning environment, class size is limited. Don't miss this opportunity to build your practical technical skills and your knowledge of victim service issues. Mark your calendar and register now for the following workshops.
Providing Culturally Competent Services to Victims of Crime
- Dates: September 11-13
- Location: Burlington, VT
Professional Development Institute
- Dates: September 18-20
- Location: Portland, OR
Compassion Fatigue/Vicarious Trauma
- Dates: October 2-3
- Location: Tucson, AZ
Sexual Assault Advocate/Counselor Training
- Dates: October 10-11
- Location: St. Louis, MO
NEW!-Responding to School Violence
- Dates: October 23-24
- Location: Raleigh, NC
The Ultimate Trainer
- Dates: November 6-8
- Location: Little Rock, AR
Program Evaluation
- Dates: December 4-5
- Location: Birmingham, AL
For more information about these upcoming sessions, view the complete Training Schedule. For questions about scholarships or training registration, visit OVC TTAC online.
OVC Professional Development Scholarships are available for Training Schedule Events! View the eligibility criteria for all scholarship applications.
## 06/07/07 ##
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U.S. Attorney General Honors Extraordinary Victim Service Providers
On April 20, 2007, U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales honored individuals and programs for their outstanding efforts on behalf of crime victims at the National Crime Victims' Rights Week (NCVRW) Awards Ceremony. This event is coordinated annually by the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) as a prelude to NCVRW, which this year was held April 22–28, 2007.
The following awards recognize outstanding service on behalf of crime victims:
- National Crime Victim Service Award
- Award for Professional Innovation in Victim Services
- Special Courage Award
- Allied Professional Award
- Ronald Wilson Reagan Public Policy Award
- Volunteer for Victims Award
- Crime Victims Fund Award
- Federal Service Award
Visit the 2007 NCVRW Award Recipients page for the honorees' biographies and photographs, or download the event program (PDF 332 kb).
## 04/30/07 ##
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Identity Theft Information Now Offered Through IDTheft.gov
To aid in the fight against identity theft, the President's Identity Theft Task Force has just released Combating Identity Theft: A Strategic Plan (PDF 3 mb) and launched IDTheft.gov, a new Web site to serve as a one-stop resource for government information about identity theft.
You can learn more about the President's Identity Theft Task Force, report identity theft, and find out how the government is taking action against identity theft.
## 04/30/07 ##
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NCVC Launches New Legal Database: VictimLaw.Info
The Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) announces the release of a new online tool called VictimLaw. Developed by the National Center for Victims of Crime with funding from OVC, the new online database houses more than 15,000 victims' rights statutes—both state and federal—tribal laws, constitutional amendments, court rules, and administrative code provisions.
The database is searchable by topic, keyword, jurisdiction, and citation. Such ready access to information can advance the cause of crime victims' rights by facilitating the exercise, implementation, and enforcement of those rights.
For additional information, visit the VictimLaw Web site.
## 04/25/07 ##
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Resources Available for Sexual Assault Awareness Month
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM), a month devoted to raising awareness of the need to prevent sexual violence and its devastating consequences. The Office for Victims of Crime has partnered with the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW), the National Institute of Justice (NIJ), the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), the Office of Justice Programs, and other concerned organizations to offer many publications, products, and events designed to raise people's awareness of sexual assault.
You are encouraged to download and use these resources in your planning and awareness campaign.
Resources address the prevention of sexual violence in the home and the community, critical issues for those who work with victims of sexual assault, developments regarding DNA technology, and assistance for youth affected by sexual violence.
## 04/25/07 ##
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Announcing New Publications and Products From OVC
To coincide with National Crime Victims' Rights Week—April 22–28, 2007—the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) has released several new publications and products that discuss support for grassroots organizations, advancing victim services, disseminating information for victims, and protecting crime victims' rights and ensuring their administration.
New publications include the following:
- Building Victim Assistance Networks With Faith Communities, an e-publication, describes the Vermont Victim Services 2000 Faith Community Initiative, lessons learned, and other promising practices. It also recommends actions for other victim service organizations that are interested in partnering with the faith community.
- DNA: Critical Issues for Those Who Work With Victims, a 24-minute DVD, is designed to raise the awareness of victim advocates, criminal justice practitioners, and others who work with crime victims regarding the issues involved when cases include DNA evidence.
- Victims with Disabilities: The Forensic Interview—Techniques for Interviewing Victims with Communication and/or Cognitive Disabilities, a 57-minute DVD, provides guidelines for practitioners to follow when interviewing adults and children with communication and/or cognitive disabilities. A companion discussion guide including a transcript of the DVD and a glossary of terms and concepts used in the film accompanies this DVD.
OVC provides quick and easy access to funding information, training and technical assistance, publications, skill-building tools, and other vital information resources to help you enhance victim services. To view a complete list of these publications and products, visit the OVC Publications Index.
## 04/23/07 ##
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| NCVRW Public Awareness Banners Available
To help you advance public awareness about National Crime Victims' Rights Week (NCVRW)—Victims' Rights: Every Victim. Every Time.—OVC has launched an online gallery of NCVRW banners. Both static and animated banners that promote the NCVRW dates and theme are available for download.
Banners include—
- Victims' Rights. This horizontal banner displays three victims' rights per cycle. The rights appear at random each time the banner reloads.
- Crime Clock (analog and digital). These horizontal banners give crime victimization statistics and ask that you support crime victims during NCVRW. Statistics appear at random each time the banner reloads.
- Open Doors. This vertical banner promotes the NCVRW Resource Guide and asks you to “Let victims know your door is open to them.”
Animated banners require a Flash player to view. You can download it now at Adobe's Flash Player Download Center.
This year, NCVRW will be held April 22–28. Public awareness activities will include rallies and candlelight vigils and other commemorative activities. To find events scheduled in your area and to promote your own, visit the OVC National Calendar of Events today. Visit the NCVRW Web site for more information about NCVRW.
## 03/13/07 ##
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 Now Available: 2007 NCVRW Online Resource Guide
To assist you with your planning for the upcoming National Crime Victims' Rights Week (NCVRW), April 22–28, 2007, OVC has released its annual NCVRW Resource Guide online. If you preordered a hardcopy of the guide, you will receive it in the mail soon. If you did not preorder your copy, you can still order it (shipping and handling fee applies) or view it online now.
The NCVRW Resource Guide was developed to help communities and victim assistance providers promote awareness of crime victim issues and help commemorate NCVRW.
The kit includes—
- Camera-ready art files for promotional publications.
- Sample press materials.
- Introductory theme DVD: “Victims' Rights: Every Victim. Every Time.”
- Statistical overviews and resources.
- And more.
Leading up to NCVRW, OVC will sponsor two prelude events in Washington, D.C. To learn about other planned NCVRW events, visit OVC's National Calendar of Events.
## 02/20/07 ##
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OVC Prepares To Commemorate NCVRW 2007
National Crime Victims' Rights Week (NCVRW)—Victims' Rights: Every Victim. Every Time.— will be observed April 22–28, 2007.
Each April, OVC leads communities in their NCVRW observances, promoting victims' rights and services in all sectors of society. Public awareness activities will include rallies and candlelight vigils and other commemorative activities.
Once again, OVC will recognize those who have demonstrated outstanding service in supporting victims of crime with awards in eight categories. The awards will be presented on April 20 in Washington, D.C., as part of the federal commemoration of NCVRW. OVC also will kick off the week with the following events:
- National Observance and Candlelight Ceremony
Thursday, April 19, 2007
U.S. Chamber of Commerce (Directions)
1615 H Street NW.
Washington, DC 20003
Time: 6:30–7:30 p.m. (eastern)
Featured Speaker: Mark Lunsford, father of Jessica Marie Lunsford and founder of the Jessica Marie Lunsford Foundation.
- National Crime Victims' Rights Week Awards Ceremony
Friday, April 20, 2007
Ronald Reagan International Trade Center Building (Directions)
1300 Pennsylvania Avenue NW.
Washington , DC 20004
Time: 2:30–4:30 p.m. (eastern)
To find other events scheduled in your area and to promote your own, visit the OVC National Calendar of Events today. For more information about NCVRW or to learn how you can participate, visit OVC's NCVRW Web site.
## 01/31/07 ##
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Funding Available to Develop the 2008 NCVRW Resource Guide
Applications are no longer being accepted.
OVC will award a $210,000 grant for a nonprofit or public agency to develop the Resource Guide for National Crime Victims' Rights Week (NCVRW) 2008. The guide will be used by the victim services field to heighten public awareness of crime victim issues. You can view sample guides from past years—such as the 2006 Resource Guide—through the NCVRW Web page. You can also preorder a free copy of the 2007 Resource Guide and poster (while supplies last).
Grant applications are due January 25, 2007. For more information, download the solicitation (PDF 81 kb). You will need Adobe Reader to view this file.
To learn about upcoming NCVRW events, visit the OVC National Calendar of Events. For more information about how you can participate, visit OVC's NCVRW Web page.
## 01/05/07 ##
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