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Headline Archives
Welcome to OVC's Headline Archives—a collection of past announcements and news posted on OVC's home page. June 2008 In observance of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, OVC offered an online discussion on best practices for assisting victims of domestic abuse in later life hosted by Bonnie Brandl, M.S.W., Director of the National Clearinghouse on Abuse in Later Life, and Jane Raymond, M.S., Advocacy and Protection Systems Developer, Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services. If you missed the discussion, you can view it online now. OVC announces job vacancies for Victim Justice Program Specialists. Learn more about Job Opportunities with OVC. FTC cautions consumers about tax and rebate scams. Unsolicited emails and telephone calls promising advance payments or verifying personal information are scams. Visit OnGuardOnline.gov to learn how to avoid becoming a victim of identity theft, phishing scams, and fraud. OVC invites you to visit VictimLaw, the free database of more than 15,000 victims’ rights legal provisions, which has helped more than 7,000 visitors since its debut in April 2007. Visit VictimLaw to see how easy it is to locate victims’ rights laws without a law library or state code. On June 18, 2008 at 2 p.m. ET, in observance of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, OVC is offering a Web Forum Guest Host Session with Bonnie Brandl, M.S.W., Director of the National Clearinghouse on Abuse in Later Life, and Jane Raymond, M.S., Advocacy and Protection Systems Developer, Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services, on best practices for assisting victims of domestic abuse in later life. FTC cautions consumers about tax and rebate scams. Unsolicited emails and telephone calls promising advance payments or verifying personal information are scams. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and Social Security Administration (SSA) will not call or email you to verify tax or rebate information. Visit OnGuardOnline.gov to learn how to avoid becoming a victim of identity theft, phishing scams, and fraud. On May 27, 2008, at 2 p.m. ET, in recognition of National Missing Children’s Day, OVC offered a Web Forum Guest Host Session on Assisting Family Members of Missing Children. If you missed the discussion, you can view it online now.
On May 27, 2008, at 2 p.m. ET, in recognition of National Missing Children’s Day, OVC will offer a Web Forum Guest Host Session on Assisting Family Members of Missing Children hosted by Duane Bowers, LPC, training consultant for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and Abby Potash, Program Manager of Team HOPE (Help Offering Parents Empowerment). National Crime Victims' Rights Week was held April 13–19, 2008, following the National Observance and Candlelight Ceremony on April 1 and the Attorney General's Crime Victims' Service Awards Ceremony on April 11. The Attorney General honored victim survivors and advocates during the events and delivered remarks in appreciation of their efforts. The OVC Director also spoke at the event; read the Director's remarks at the Awards Ceremony. OVC announces the 2008 NCVRW Award Recipients. Join us in congratulating this year's recipients, who were honored at the awards ceremony on April 11, 2008. The "Justice for Victims Is Justice for All" multimedia release offers more details on the April observances, including an audio message from OVC Director John Gillis in support of crime victims and service providers. May 2008 A Web Forum session on Responding to Victims of Crime was held May 14, 2008, in recognition of National Police Week. If you missed the discussion, you can view it online now. The session was hosted Timothy Woods, Director of the Research, Development, and Grants Division at the National Sheriffs' Association and author of First Response to Victims of Crime. On May 14, 2008, at 2 p.m. ET, in recognition of National Police Week, OVC will offer a Web Forum Guest Host Session on Responding to Victims of Crime hosted by Timothy Woods, Director of the Research, Development, and Grants Division at the National Sheriffs' Association and author of First Response to Victims of Crime. OVC also presents a Web Forum discussion on Implementing Pediatric Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Programs, offered in recognition of National Child Abuse Prevention Month. April 2008 OVC is now accepting applications for the National Victim Assistance Academy. The 2008 Academy will be held May 4–9, 2008, at the Doubletree Hotel and Conference Center, in St. Louis, Missouri. April and May grant application deadlines are approaching! Visit OVC's Current Funding Opportunities page and learn more about the deadlines for grants to support and expand—
March 2008 On March 26, at 2 p.m. ET, OVC will sponsor a Web Forum Guest Host Session on Preparing Victim Service Providers and Children for Court hosted by Victor Vieth, Director of the National Child Protection Training Center. If you missed the March 12 discussion on ethical practices in victim services, you can view it online now. On March 12, 2008, at 2 p.m. ET, OVC will sponsor an OVC Web Forum Guest Host Session on Ethical Practices in Victim Services hosted by Melissa Hook, Executive Director of the District of Columbia Office of Victim Services and author of Ethics in Victim Services. If you missed the February 27 discussion on teen victims of dating violence, you can view it online now. The 2008 NCVRW Resource Guide is available online in its entirety, including all the content from the theme DVD and camera-ready art files. Released by OVC for National Crime Victims' Rights Week, April 13–19, 2008, the guide is designed to help communities promote awareness of crime victim issues. The OVC National Calendar of Events lists upcoming events in crime victim services. Join the hundreds who already discovered its many uses for locating, planning, and promoting victim assistance-related events nationwide. February 2008 On February 27, 2008, at 2 p.m. ET, OVC will sponsor an OVC Web Forum Guest Host Session on Responding to Teen Victims of Dating Violence hosted by Mitru Ciarlante, Director of the National Center for Victims of Crime's Teen Victim Initiative, and Barri Rosenbluth, Director of SafePlace's Expect Respect Program. If you missed the February 13 discussion on victim services in urban high crime neighborhoods, you can view it online now. On February 13, 2008, at 2 p.m. ET, OVC will host a Web Forum Guest Host Session on best practices for assisting victims of crime in urban high crime neighborhoods with Kerry Cosgrove and Linda Miller, grantees of OVC's Urban High Crime Neighborhoods Initiative. If you missed the January 30th discussion on developing relationships between victim service providers and the media, you can view it online now. On January 30, 2008, at 2 p.m. ET, OVC hosted a Web Forum Guest Host Session on best practices for developing relationships between victim service providers and the media with Greg Luft and Anne Seymour. If you missed the discussion, you can view it online now. January 2008 On January 30, 2008, at 2 p.m. ET, OVC will host a Web Forum Guest Host Session on best practices for developing relationships between victim service providers and the media with Greg Luft and Anne Seymour, contributors to OVC's video, "The News Media's Coverage of Crime and Victimization". If you missed the January 9th discussion on intimate partner stalking, you can view it online now. Awards of $50,000 to $500,000 are available through the FY 2008 National Field-Generated Training, Technical Assistance, and Demonstration Projects grant to provide services and support to crime victims or to ensure that victims are afforded the rights to which they are due. Applications under “National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims” are due February 21, 2008. All others are due May 29, 2008. One cooperative agreement of $225,000 will be awarded to a private nonprofit organization or public agency to develop the 2009 NCVRW Resource Guide, which is used by the victims' field to heighten awareness of crime victim issues. Apply by January 22, 2008. On January 9, 2008, Michelle Garcia, Director of the National Center for Victims of Crime Stalking Resource Center, hosted an OVC Web Forum Guest Host Session on best practices for serving victims of intimate partner stalking. If you missed the discussion, you can view it online now. OVC has released the 2008 Resource Guide for National Crime Victims' Rights Week, April 13–19, 2008. Developed to help communities promote awareness of victim issues, this online guide includes camera-ready art files, public awareness posters, the 2008 theme DVD and screensaver, and more. January 11, 2008, will mark the first observance of a National Day of Human Trafficking Awareness. The annual observance is intended to enhance the fight against human trafficking and was established by a U.S. Senate-approved resolution cosponsored by Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), John Cornyn (R-TX), Barack Obama (D-IL), and Dick Lugar (R-IN). Three grants of up to $125,000 will be awarded to individuals through the 2008 Victim Assistance Fellowship Program to address gaps in services for crime victims by developing training, technical assistance, and public awareness resources for practitioners who serve victims of crime. Apply by January 10, 2008. On January 9, 2008, at 2 pm (ET), join OVC and OVW for a Web Forum Guest Host Session with Michelle Garcia, Director of the National Center for Victims of Crime Stalking Resource Center, on best practices for serving victims of intimate partner stalking. If you missed the November 28 discussion on working with drug endangered children, you can view it online now. December 2007 OVC announces the release of a new publication entitled Helping Sexual Assault Survivors with Multiple Victimizations and Needs: A Guide for Agencies Serving Sexual Assault Survivors, developed under an OVC grant by the University of Iowa, School of Social Work. Stay informed. Subscribe to OVC's Web Forum E-Alerts and receive year-round notifications about topical forum sessions of relevance to victim service providers. Download the Calendar of Events screensaver for instant access to victim service events nationwide. The screensaver works with or without an Internet connection. On November 28, 2007, Commander Lori Moriarty, Director of the National Alliance for Drug Endangered Children Resource Center, hosted an OVC Web Forum Guest Host Session on best practices for working with drug endangered children. If you missed the discussion, you can view it online now. November 2007 On November 28, 2007, OVC and ONDCP will host a Web Forum discussion with Commander Lori Moriarty, Director of the National Alliance for Drug Endangered Children Resource Center, on Working with Drug Endangered Children. If you missed the November 8 discussion on assisting survivors of homicide and other traumatic events, you can view it online now. On November 8, 2007, Carroll Ann Ellis, Director of the Victim Services Division of the Fairfax County Police Department, hosted an OVC Web Forum Guest Host Session on best practices for working with survivors of homicide and other traumatic events. If you missed the discussion, you can view it online now. October 2007 On October 17, 2007, Delilah Rumburg, member of the Defense Task Force on Sexual Assault in the Military Services, hosted an OVC Web Forum Guest Host Session on best practices for serving sexual assault victims in the military. If you missed the discussion, you can view it online now. OVC is now accepting nominees for the 2008 National Crime Victims' Service Awards via the newly launched online submission service. Check out this new service from OVC and make your nomination by October 19, 2007. Through a grant from OVC , the National Association of VOCA Assistance Administrators (NAVAA) will support states and local communities with funds to conduct public awareness initiatives during National Crime Victims' Rights Week, April 13-19, 2008. Apply through NAVAA only. Deadline is October 15, 2007. On October 17, 2007, join Delilah Rumburg, member of the Defense Task Force on Sexual Assault in the Military Services, at 2 p.m. eastern time for an OVC Web Forum Guest Host Session on best practices for serving sexual assault victims in the military. If you missed the October 10 discussion on the Crime Victims' Rights Act with Steve Twist, you can view it online now. OVC is pleased to announce the initial release of the new Victim Assistance Training Online (VAT Online) for victim services providers at national VOCA conference today (9/18/07). On October 10, 2007, join Steve Twist, Special Counsel to the National Crime Victim Law Institute, at 2 p.m. eastern time for an OVC Web Forum Guest Host Session on the Crime Victims' Rights Act. If you missed the September 26 discussion on recruiting and retaining volunteers with Daniel Gregory, you can view it online now. OVC announces new online training materials for Sexual Assault Advocate/Counselor Training (SAACT). Components include trainer and participant manuals, PowerPoint slides and vignettes, and a customizable agenda. Visit the OVC Training Center to download this training. National Day of Remembrance for murder victims is September 25, 2007, and OVC is supporting the ceremony on Capitol Hill to honor the memories of homicide victims. The Director's Message sheds more details on this special event. On September 26, 2007, join Daniel Gregory, Community Relations Coordinator at Casa de los Niños, at 2 p.m. ET for an OVC Web Forum Guest Host Session to discuss recruiting and retaining volunteers. If you missed the September 12 discussion on public policy in victim services with Susan Smith Howley, you can view it online now. September 2007 U.S. victims receive support from the International Terrorism Victim Expense Reimbursement Program (ITVERP). Read about the first payments to victims and who is eligible. New grants from OJP. Apply by September 11, 2007, for these three new grant opportunities via Grants.gov:
OVC announces new online training materials for Sexual Assault Advocate/Counselor Training (SAACT). Components include trainer and participant manuals, PowerPoint slides and vignettes, and a customizable agenda. Visit the OVC Training Center to download this training. August 2007 OVC Director Gillis copresented the National Sheriffs' Association (NSA) Crime Victim Services award during a plenary session of the NSA's annual conference in Salt Lake City, Utah, in June 2007. The Pinal County (AZ) Sheriff's Office received the 2007 award, which recognizes "outstanding achievement by a Sheriff's Office in support of victims and victim assistance." If you missed the August 1st discussion on Community Partnerships for Victim Assistance, you can view it online now on the OVC Web Forum. The discussion was held in preparation for the 24th Annual National Night Out,and it was hosted by Donald Priddy, night watch patrol commander of the Carbondale, Illinois, Police Department. In preparation for the 24th Annual National Night Out, OVC, in participation with the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) and the Community Capacity Development Office (CCDO), will present a Web Forum Guest Host Session on Community Partnerships for Victim Assistance . Join Lt. Donald Priddy, night watch patrol commander of the Carbondale, Illinois, Police Department, on August 1, 2007, at 2 p.m. (EST) for the live discussion. OVC announces the 2007 National Victim Assistance Academy , to be held December 9-14, 2007, in the Baltimore Metropolitan area, Maryland. Visit OVC's Training Center for more information and apply online for the 2007 Academy. July 2007 OVC announces a unique new resource called the Oral History Project of the Crime Victim Assistance Field, which traces the history of the victims' rights movement and its evolution. View it online now. Don't miss the July 12 OVC Web Forum Guest Host session on identity theft in Indian Country with Dan Hally and Dianne Barker-Harrold. If you missed the June 27 discussion on best practices for collaborating on faith-based initiatives, you can view it online now. HOPE II funds are available from OVC to help faith- and community-based organizations establish or expand victim services in high-crime urban areas. Apply by July 9, 2007, to the Maryland Crime Victims' Resource Center for these OVC HOPE II subawards of up to $50,000. Visit the OVC Web Forum to view the June 27 discussion on best practices for collaborating on faith based initiatives hosted by Rev. Theresa Mercer and Elaine Witman. OVC announces two new grant opportunities. Visit Grants.gov to learn more about the available grants and their deadlines:
The OVC Training and Technical Assistance Center has announced its Fall/Winter 2007 training schedule. Build your practical technical skills and your knowledge of victim service issues, and don't miss the new workshop on responding to school violence this October.
June 2008
Through funding from OVC, the West Virginia Foundation for Rape Information and Services (FRIS) has worked to meet the needs of rural victims by effectively implementing a mobile SANE program. FRIS has developed this replication guide, Implementing SANE Programs in Rural Communities: The West Virginia Regional Mobile SANE Project (NCJ 221749), to assist rural communities working to better meet the needs of victims. The guide addresses common problems faced by rural areas working to develop and maintain SANE programs, including:
In observance of the 3rd annual World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (June 15, 2008) and the need to address the issue of elder abuse, OVC will hold a Web Forum to discuss neglect, maltreatment and mistreatment in later life. Visit the Web Forum on June 18, 2008, 2 p.m. e.t. to participate in the discussion. OVC also offers relevant publications and links to related organizations to assist victims of elder abuse, service providers, and allied professionals. If you suspect elder abuse, neglect, or exploitation, call your state's elder abuse hotline or reporting number. You can learn more about this issue and download prevention and awareness materials by visiting the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse Web site. May 2008 Learn more about the impact of crime on victims and the steps that law enforcement can take to meet victims' needs. OVC's First Response to Victims of Crime video (available in DVD and VHS format) and an accompanying guidebook covers—
Each year the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF) leads the Nation in commemorating National Police Week, which will be observed this year from May 11–17. Join NLEOMF on May 13 for the 20th Annual Candlelight Vigil in Washington, D.C., to honor the sacrifices made by our nation's law enforcement. OVC also recognizes the critical role of law enforcement in responding to victims of crime. April 2008 To coincide with National Crime Victims' Rights Week, OVC has released several new products and publications to help advance victim services and raise awareness of victim issues nationwide. OVC publications are designed to educate and assist victim service providers and allied professionals in their efforts to respond to victims of crime. These products cover a range of topics including— For more information about the products now available from OVC, see New Releases. April Is Also Child Abuse Prevention Month (April 2008) Learn more about the history of this month and how to encourage individuals and communities to support children and families. Visit the Child Welfare Information Gateway. Related publications and additional resources and support are available from related organizations to assist child abuse victims, service providers, and allied professionals. Help promote awareness of crime victim issues during National Crime Victims' Rights Week by sharing public awareness materials available from the 2008 NCVRW Resource Guide, including— In observance of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, OVC will hold a Web Forum to be hosted by staff from the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN), a provider of secure services to crime victims through the National Sexual Assault Online Hotline: 1-800-656-HOPE. Visit the OVC Web Forum on April 16, 2008, 2 p.m. e.t. to take part in the discussion. OVC also offers related publications about this major public health problem and links to available resources for victim service providers and allied professionals, such as the National Sexual Violence Resource Center. March 2008Finding Special Events in Crime Victim Services Use OVC’s Calendar of Events to find the NCVRW events held by communities across the Nation to promote awareness of victims' rights and needs. In Washington, D.C., OVC will sponsor two prelude events:
You can download the 2008 NCVRW screensaver as a reminder of this important commemorative week. The 2008 NCVRW Resource Guide is available online in its entirety, including all the content from the theme DVD, camera-ready art files, and public awareness posters. Released by OVC for National Crime Victims' Rights Week, April 13–19, 2008, the guide is designed to help communities promote awareness of crime victim issues. Included in the online guide are a set of Web banners that can be used to promote public awareness of victims' rights and issues. Victims' Rights Resources With funding from OVC, the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) has developed resources, primarily for state legislators, but also useful for victim advocates, criminal justice practitioners, and other allied professionals. These NCSL resources on victims' rights and services include an audio CD providing an overview of victims’ rights and services and an online guide to victims' rights laws in the states. National Youth Violence Prevention Week will be observed March 31-April 4, 2008, to raise awareness of effective ways to prevent and reduce youth violence. OVC offers several resources on school and community issues, which provide information to help students cope with violence and address underlying causes of conflict. If you are interested in training on issues involving youth violence, register for OVC TTAC's workshop on Supporting Children Living with Grief and Trauma: A Multidisciplinary Approach. Attendees will learn about effective ways to better serve grieving children and diminish the risk of traumatized children moving into destructive and violent behaviors. February 2008
More than 10,000 programs are listed in OVC's Online Directory of Crime Victim Services, and yours could be too. With more than 300,000 visits since 2003 and hundreds more every day, your program is sure to reach those who need it most. Visit the Get Posted page to find out how. In observance of National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Week (February 4-8), OVC is offering a Web Forum on best practices for working with teen victims of dating violence. OVC also offers links to related organizations that assist teen dating violence victims, service providers, and allied professionals. You can learn more about this issue from the National Center for Victims of Crime (NCVC) Teen Victim Project, which recently launched a new Web training series. They offer past sessions online, including a Webinar on Teens and Stalking. January 2008 This January marks the fifth annual National Stalking Awareness Month, and in recognition of this serious and deadly crime, OVC is offering a Web Forum session to discuss how to help the more than 1 million women and nearly 400,000 men who become the victims of stalking in America each year. OVC also offers relevant publications and links to related organizations to assist stalking victims, service providers, and allied professionals. You can learn more about this issue and download prevention and awareness materials by visiting the National Center for Victims of Crime (NCVC) Stalking Resource Center.
Fight Against Human Trafficking (January 2008) The National Human Trafficking Resource Center, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, offers information and resources to victims of human trafficking and accepts tips from individuals about possible victims via their hotline 1-888-3737-888. Visit the Resource Center to read about the Campaign to Rescue and Restore Victims of Human Trafficking. Additional help for those affected by human trafficking is provided by OVC with its support to Grantee programs assisting victims of human trafficking. December 2007 In recognition of National Drunk and Drugged Driving Awareness Month, OVC invites you to view past Web Forum discussions on Serving Victims of Impaired Driving and Drunk Driving. OVC also offers resource links on drunk driving and related publications, including "Drunk Driving Victimization," from the OVC Help Series. You Can Get Through the Holidays The anticipation of enduring a holiday without a friend or family member can be harder than the actual holiday itself. Coping With the Holidays, an OVC Web resource, has suggestions from survivors for getting through the holidays.
November 2007 View images from the first-ever National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims, held on September 25, 2007, in Capitol Hill. The photos capture the Murder Wall and other key moments from this inaugural event, which honors the memories of homicide victims and supports bereaved families and friends. A special message from OVC Director Gillis offers more details on this event and its legislative history. To obtain more information and access related resources, visit OVC's Web page on Survivor Resources and visit the OVC Web Forum to read the November 8, 2007, online discussion on Working with Survivors of Homicide and Other Traumatic Events. The forum was hosted by Carroll Ann Ellis, Director of the Victim Services Division of the Fairfax County Police Department.
Consult OVC's Training Schedule to view course descriptions and learning objectives, or to register. Need more information on training initiatives? Read OVC's Fact Sheet on Training Opportunities for details on what is available to victim service providers from OVC. Answers to frequent training questions delivers a brief overview on what OVC offers, including online training, scholarships, and other financial assistance. October 2007
Do you know someone who has worked to improve the lives of crime victims? If you do, you can nominate them for an award: The National Crime Victims' Service award. To ensure that outstanding service providers are given the recognition they deserve, submit your nominations before October 19, 2007. With OVC 's new streamlined application process, you can submit your nomination online. In recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) presents http://www.enditnow.gov. This online tool contains information and resources for both victims and those seeking to help them. All content, including a public service announcement, are available in both English and Spanish language versions. The Office for Victims of Crime also offers relevant publications and a Web Forum discussion on domestic violence to assist service providers and allied professionals. September 2007 A National Day of Remembrance for murder victims will be held on September 25, 2007. Sponsored by the National Organization of Parents of Murdered Children, Inc. and the National Center for Victims of Crime, with support from OVC, a ceremony on Capitol Hill will honor the lives of homicide victims, provide support to bereaved families and friends, and showcase the Murder Wall. OVC's survivor resources and publications offer additional resources to victim service providers, survivors of homicide victims, and covictims. The aim of National Campus Safety Awareness Month is to raise public awareness on the issue of campus safety, and to promote safer, more secure college and university campuses nationwide. OVC's publications on campus crime and safety, the Office of Justice Program's Safer Schools resources Web page, and the National Criminal Justice Reference Service's annotated list of campus safety resources are valuable resources for victims and victim service providers alike. August 2007
The 2007 Academy will be held December 9-14, 2007, at the Maritime Institute in Linthicum Heights, MD. See also NVAA resources from previous years. The OVC National Calendar of Crime Victim Assistance-Related Events is the leading resource for locating and promoting events that address crime victims' rights and services. OVC's newest screensaver is a dynamic tool delivering information about upcoming events directly to your computer. 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. July 2007 OVC, through the Helping Outreach Program to Expand (HOPE) grant program, provides funding to community-based grassroots organizations to support program development activities and to improve outreach and services to victims of crime. Read the HOPE brochure to learn more. Additionally, grassroots organizations can access scholarships for continued education through OVC's Training and Technical Assistance Center.
2007 Headline Archives |
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Photos from a National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims (November 2007) 
