Governor McDonnell Declares July 30th As Victims Advocate Day

(Friday) July 30, 2010

Speaks at Virginia Victim Assistance Academy Graduation at University of Richmond

Governor Bob McDonnell declared today as “Victim Advocate Day” during the graduate services of the third class of the Virginia Victim Assistance Academy at the University of Richmond.

Addressing the graduates, Governor McDonnell remarked, “You are to be commended not only for your professional dedication to improving your knowledge and skills as victim advocates, but for your commitment to responding more effectively to the needs of crime victims.  You have gained valuable information, not only from the faculty of the Academy, but also from your fellow students.  Your experiences at this Academy will benefit crime victims for many years to come.”

The intensive five-day Academy was held July 26-30 on the University of Richmond campus.  It is a unique professional course of study that provides 36-hours of comprehensive, academic, interdisciplinary and interactive training for crime victims service providers, allied professionals and others who work with crime victims.  The tested curriculum provides a foundation of victims’ services and principles to enable participants to more effectively help crime victims regain control of their lives.

Governor McDonnell continued, “The Academy provides an excellent foundation in the principles and policies of victims’ rights.  It also confers knowledge, resources, and practical skills to victim advocates, which allow them to improve their responses and services to crime victims.”

Faculty members, who teach the skills-based victim centered curriculum, include staff from the Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS), the University of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University and the Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund.  Other faculty members include prosecutors, law enforcement officials, crime victims, and victims’ services providers.

The Virginia Victim Assistance Academy is co-sponsored by DCJS, the University of Richmond, the Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund, and the Family and Children’s Trust Fund.  Virginia is one of 36 states developing or presenting State Victim Assistance Academies.  Such Academies are modeled after the National Victim Assistance Academy and differ in that they provide state-specific training in victims’ issues.  Virginia’s first two Academies were held in 2008 and 2009.  They were very successful training courses.

By virtue of the authority vested by the Constitution in the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia there is hereby officially recognized:

VICTIM ADVOCATE DAY

WHEREAS, victim advocates are individuals committed to assisting victims of crimes; and victim advocates are dedicated professionals constantly seeking to enhance their skills and improve services for crime victims; and

WHEREAS, the Virginia Victim Assistance Academy (VVAA) was designed by a Steering Committee which includes representatives from the Department of Criminal Justice Services, the University of Richmond, the Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund, law enforcement, prosecution, Virginia Commonwealth University, the Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alliance, the Virginia Network for Victims and Witnesses of Crime, the Department of Corrections, the Department of Social Services, the Parole Board, the Attorney General’s Office, , the U. S. Attorney’s Office, the F.B.I., local victim assistance programs, and crime victims; and,

WHEREAS, victim advocates represent a diverse spectrum of disciplines including law enforcement officers, prosecutors, probation and parole officers, volunteers, sexual assault advocates, domestic violence advocates, victim/witness staff, and other victim service providers; and

WHEREAS, the Virginia Victim Assistance Academy (VVAA) provides a 36-hour comprehensive, academically-based, interdisciplinary and interactive educational program for victim advocates; and

WHEREAS, the VVAA curriculum provides a foundation in the principles and policies of victims’ rights, as well as skills, knowledge, and resources that will enable graduates to better meet the needs of all victims; and,

WHEREAS, the VVAA provides knowledge, resources, and practical skills to enhance, strengthen and improve responses to crime victims; and establishes a statewide standard of knowledge and skills needed to provide effective services to crime victims; and,

WHEREAS, the VVAA promotes collaboration between victim service providers, allied professionals, policymakers, educators and researchers; and,

WHEREAS, the VVAA provides opportunities for victim advocates to earn credentials to enhance their professional development and career opportunities; and,

WHEREAS, the third class of the VVAA graduates this day.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Robert F. McDonnell, do hereby recognize July 30, 2010 as VICTIM ADVOCATE DAY in the COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens.