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On May 13, 2009 at 2:00 pm (eastern time), OVC will present a Web Forum Guest Host Session on Responding to People Victimized by Individuals with Mental Illnesses with Carol Dorris and Dr. James Reinhard. If you missed the previous discussion on Forensic Interviewing in Tribal Communities, you can view and download the transcript online now!

OVC has released the online-only Ethics in Victim Services Curriculum, designed to provide information and skills related to ethical standards in victim services and ethical decisionmaking. Use this download center to gather all the materials you'll need to conduct the training.

Celebrating Victims’ Rights: Attorney General Eric  Holder recognizes 10 individuals and programs for their service to crime victims during the April 24 National Crime Victims’ Rights Week Awards Ceremony held each year to honor heroic and hard-working individuals for their extraordinary service to crime victims.

Apply now for the National Victim Assistance Academy, to be held August 2-7, 2009, in Louisville, Kentucky. Continuing Education Units will be awarded to all participants who complete all the requirements of the Foundation-Level Training, Professional Skill-Building Institute, or Leadership Institute. Apply by June 30, 2009.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act ("Recovery Act") of 2009 was signed into law by the President on February 17, 2009.  The law included a direct appropriation of $100 million in grant funding to be administered by the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC). Visit Recovery Act Funding and OVC for more information.

One cooperative agreement of $500,000 will be awarded to plan and implement the 2011 National SART Training Conference for approximately 1,000 SART professionals. Apply by May 14, 2009.

Two new funding opportunities are available to support the planning, implementation, or enhancement of innovative programs to improve the delivery of direct services to crime victims in American Indian and Alaska Native communities. Apply by May 5, 2009.

National Police Week (May 2009)

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 10-16. Join NLEOMF on May 13 for the 21st 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.

National Missing Children’s Day (May 25)

This year marks the 26th annual observance of National Missing Children’s Day. In remembrance of the victims and recognition of the ongoing efforts to keep our children safe, OVC offers links to available resources for victim service providers and allied professionals, such as the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, as well as related publications.

Law Enforcement & Victim Services (May 2009)

OVC presents Victim Services in Rural Law Enforcement, an e-publication that reviews the difficulties faced by victims in rural areas and how law enforcement officers are often the victims' only contact with the justice system. This resource also offers a blueprint for enhancing assistance in rural jurisdictions to assist law enforcement agencies in establishing their own programs.

National Crime Victims’ Rights Week: April 26–May 2, 2009

To commemorate NCVRW 2009, OVC has released five new resources to help providers enhance victim services:

• Good Samaritans: Volunteers Helping Victims
• Strengthening Sexual Assault Victims’ Right to Privacy
• Victim Services in Rural Law Enforcement
• Ethics in Victim Services
• Terrorism and International Victim Assistance Services brochure

For links to these and other NCVRW materials and information, visit OVC’s NCVRW Web page.