Victims' Advocates

    Learning from Error in Criminal Justice: A Sentinel Events Approach

    In criminal justice, a “sentinel event” is a bad outcome that might include a death in custody, routine police encounter that escalates to violence, mishandling of evidence, wrongful conviction, or “near miss,” in which a negative event is narrowly avoided. Too often, the criminal justice system fails to learn from these bad outcomes. Drawing inspiration from aviation, medicine, and other high-risk fields, the Sentinel Events Initiative (SEI) takes an alternative approach.

    Advancing Research Initiatives and Combatting the Human Trafficking Epidemic

    Trafficking in persons is a multifaceted global epidemic, which has seen a significant increase in public awareness. However, there is a substantial need to expand capacities and technologies involving representatives from all stakeholders.

    Substance Use, Trauma and Domestic Violence: Critical Issues, Promising Approaches

    Substance use is a challenging issue facing domestic violence survivors and the programs that serve them. The national opioid epidemic has intensified the problem. But progress is being made. We are identifying promising approaches and building community capacity to address the complex needs of survivors. Recognition of the impact of trauma on survivors’ use of substances as well as the role of substance use-related coercion by perpetrators has led to more integrated approaches.

    Webinar - Promoting Accessible & Inclusive Services for Victims with Disabilities: A Webinar for VOCA Administrators

    According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics’ 2016 report, people with disabilities were more than three times more likely to experience violent crime than people without disabilities from 2010 to 2014. At the same time, only 13 percent of violent crime victims with disabilities received assistance from non-police victim services agencies. The recent increases in state Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) victim assistance grants create a unique opportunity to increase the number of crime victims with disabilities who access victim services.

    Webinar - Tools for Addressing Elder Financial Exploitation in Rural Areas

    Elder abuse is a growing issue faced by older adults, and the effects of abuse can negatively impact the physical health, mental well-being, and financial stability of victims. The challenges of elder abuse prevention, detection, and litigation are heightened for older adults who are less connected to resources. Older adults who are isolated, either situationally or geographically, often have challenges accessing the help they need to prevent against and seek help following elder abuse.

    Webinar - Navigating the SART Toolkit

    Multidisciplinary Sexual Assault Response Teams (SART) are highly regarded as achieving success in communities, improving responses for victims, and increasing prosecution rates. The newly updated SART Toolkit is an online manual that supports SARTs in all aspects of their work, from building a team to responding to victims. The SART Toolkit connects teams with information on topics, resources, and access to experts.

    Webinar - Helping Victims of Mass Violence & Terrorism: 48 Hours and Beyond

    This September, the Office for Victims of Crime Training and Technical Assistance Center will launch an important two-part webinar series that will highlight significant actions needed to help communities prepare and respond appropriately to assist victims in the first few days after a mass violence tragedy occurs. 

    Webinar - Helping Victims of Mass Violence & Terrorism: The First 24 to 48 Hours

    This September, the Office for Victims of Crime Training and Technical Assistance Center will launch an important two-part webinar series that will highlight significant actions needed to help communities prepare and respond appropriately to assist victims in the first few days after a mass violence tragedy occurs. 

    Webinar - Technology, Social Media, and Victim Safety

    On June 20, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. ET, the Office for Victims of Crime Training and Technical Assistance Center will present an online Expert Q&A discussion with Erica L. Olsen on “Technology, Social Media, and Victim Safety.”

    Social media and technology can be powerful tools to connect with and assist crime victims, but they can also be tools used against victims and survivors. Learn ways to manage social media and technology successfully when working with victims and strategies victims can use to help increase their online safety and privacy.

    FY 2018 Enhanced Collaborative Model Task Force to Combat Human Trafficking: Pre-Application Webinar

    This webinar will provide information about the purpose, scope, and requirements of the Office for Victims of Crime/Bureau of Justice Assistance Enhanced Collaborative Model Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force program and will provide information to applicants on how to apply for funding.

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