Crime Victims' Rights Month: Commemorating 50 Years of Victim Services

By Julie Nauman, VCGCB Executive Officer

Every April, the California Victim Compensation Program (CalVCP) stands with our partners across the state in observance of California Crime Victims’ Rights Month, a time set aside for our state to show support for victims of violent crime, their families, and survivors. This year is even more significant as CalVCP commemorates its 50th year of serving victims of violent crime in California. And through our fifty years, we have been proud to have such great partners throughout the state to aid in providing services, protecting victims’ rights, and making a difference in the lives of thousands of victims of crime. Since 1965, CalVCP has provided over $2.3 billion in services, and we will continue to work with our partners to provide these services for our great state and the people who need them. It is fitting that this year’s theme is “Engaging Communities, Empowering Victims,” as it certainly reflects California’s commitment to increasing community awareness of crime victim issues and examining prevention and safety.

As a community, we must come together to ensure that victims and survivors of violent crime know they are not alone and that their community stands with them. People who have been impacted by violent crime should know that there is help available. We can all work together to ensure that those who commit a crime face justice. As a community, we will ensure that victims and survivors receive the care they need. We must educate those around us about the immediate and long-term impacts of crime and how we can better prevent these crimes from occurring in the first place. By engaging entire communities, we can better extend victim service resources to where they need to be and serve those who need them.

Crime Victims' Rights Month: The Attention Belongs to Victims

According to the California Attorney General’s Office, over 440 violent crimes are reported in California each day. During April, CalVCP observes California Crime Victims’ Rights Month (CVRM) to honor, recognize, support, and advocate for survivors of violence.

In a time when much attention is placed on the criminal offenders, and even offender rights, it is imperative that we bring focus back to the victims who need it. This year’s CVRM theme, “Victims’ Rights, Victims’ First,” underscores the need to make victims’ rights a top priority.

Violent crime does not discriminate; it can affect anybody, in any community. During CVRM, our hope is not only to raise awareness, but to inspire action. We encourage everyone to take the time to learn about your rights and the services available to you and your loved ones.

CalVCP will honor victims and thank those who assist them throughout a number of activities during Crime Victims’ Rights Month. We encourage you to join and participate:

• County Observances — CalVCP will join county officials across the state to honor both victims and the advocates who help guide survivors through the justice process and direct them to critical resources.
• Podcasts — CalVCP will release a series of short interviews with courageous survivors who will share their experiences and describe their healing process.
• Victims’ Rights Digital Town Hall — CalVCP will host an online town hall discussion addressing a variety of topics, including how to reach the underserved through collaborative efforts.
• CVRM April 2014 Public Service Announcement — This video features California Attorney General Kamala D. Harris speaking to survivors, advocates, and community leaders on the important work being done to prevent crime, provide services to victims, and honor the lives of those lost to violent crimes.
• Blogs — CalVCP will post a number of guest blogs examining issues, personal stories, and helpful tools and services, written by respected leaders in the victims’ rights community.
• Denim Day — On Wednesday, April 23rd, CalVCP and millions across the nation will wear denim as a symbol of protest against erroneous and destructive attitudes about sexual assault.

For more information, visit CalVCP's California Crime Victims’ Rights Month website.

---

The California Victim Compensation Program (CalVCP) provides compensation for victims of violent crime. CalVCP provides eligible victims with reimbursement for many crime-related expenses. CalVCP funding comes from restitution paid by criminal offenders through fines, orders, penalty assessments and federal matching funds.

Official Observance Ends, Services Continue

By Julie Nauman, VCGCB Executive Officer

As the state with the first and largest victim compensation program and national leader of victims’ rights and services, California once again honored victims, provided resources, and united communities in its commemoration of Crime Victims’ Rights Month.

Around the state, advocates and government agencies held events and distributed information and services available to victims of crime. I am proud of all our statewide partners, as well as our staff here at CalVCP on the incredible job they have done in bringing attention to this very important issue.

Here are just a few examples of the outstanding statewide efforts last month:

CalVCP Executive Officer Julie Nauman greets California Attorney General Kamala D. Harris at the Victims' Rights Rally

• Crime Survivors Awards Banquet, Orange County
• Victims’ Rights Symposium and Recognition Luncheon, LA County
• Candlelight Vigil and Resource Fair, Napa County
• Citizens of Courage Awards and Luncheon, San Diego County
• Victims’ Rights March and Rally, Orange County
• Outstanding Citizen Awards Ceremony, Sacramento County
• Justice Awards, San Francisco County
• Crime Victims’ Tribute, Yolo County
• Victims’ Rights Week March & Advocacy, San Joaquin County

I believe this year’s message, Facing New Challenges, Finding New Hope, was heard throughout California, and I’d like to share a few highlights with you. During the week of April 7, CalVCP Connection posted a series of guest blogs from crime victim experts and service providers (scroll down to read more). Later in the month we hosted our annual Victims’ Rights Rally and March in Sacramento with keynote speaker California Attorney General Kamala D. Harris. Lastly, we wrapped up the month with our first ever Victims’ Rights Digital Town Hall where Sacramento County District Attorney Jan Scully and El Dorado County District Attorney Vern Pierson moderated discussions on human trafficking, sexual assault, domestic violence, and victim resources.

---

Julie Nauman is the Executive Officer for the Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board (VCGCB). VCGCB provides compensation for victims of violent crime and helps to resolve claims against the State.

Standing with Victims of Crime

By Julie Nauman, VCGCB Executive Officer

Each year, the California Victim Compensation Program (CalVCP) participates in the observance of California Crime Victims’ Rights Month, to show support for victims of crime, their families and survivors. The theme of this year’s month long observance, “Facing New Challenges; Finding New Hope,” is a great testament to CalVCP’s continuous efforts to respond to the needs of victims.

In commemoration of California Victim Rights Month, CalVCP has scheduled activities that will help educate victims about their rights and the many services offered to them throughout the state. CalVCP will be offering blogs written by some of California’s leaders in victims’ rights and services that offer information about many of the issues and obstacles that victims and survivors face.

Attendees of the 2012 Victims Rights Rally
unite for crime victims' rights

Once again, CalVCP will host its annual Victim Rights Rally on April 23 at our headquarters in Sacramento. I’m proud of this event as we bring together victims, survivors, advocates and government officials to help raise awareness of the services offered to victims. CalVCP will also be hosting its first ever “Victims' Rights Digital Town Hall” allowing victims, survivors, providers and advocates to participate from all around the state. The Digital Town Hall will be held on April 24 and 25 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and will focus on human trafficking, sexual assault, domestic violence, physical assault, cultural barriers and valuable resources for victims and survivors.

As April is also National Sexual Assault Awareness Month, CalVCP will also conduct its annual Denim Day Denim Drive to collect denim clothing items for local charities while raising awareness to the issues surrounding sexual assault in California. The Denim Day Denim Drive will begin on April 2 and conclude on Denim Day, April 25. Collection bins can found in various locations around downtown Sacramento and are listed on our website at calvcp.ca.gov.

California Crime Victim Rights Month is not only designed to raise awareness but to also spark action. I ask everyone to take the time to learn and understand their rights and educate themselves about the services available to them in our Golden State.

---

Julie Nauman is the Executive Officer for the Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board (VCGCB). VCGCB provides compensation for victims of violent crime and helps to resolve claims against the State.

Reaching Every Victim

By Julie Nauman, VCGCB Executive Officer

CalVCP's banner commemorates
Crime Victims' Rights Month in
California

Tending to the needs of victims of crime has always been a priority for the State of California. In fact, it was California that passed the first victim compensation program back in 1965. It was California that implemented the most stringent victims’ rights laws in 2008 and it is California that continues to raise the bar on victim’s needs as we call for more accountability of criminal offenders to pay their restitution and provide more rights for victims of sexual assault, human trafficking and domestic violence.

It is because of this strong commitment to victim services that we expand on the National observance of Crime Victims' Rights Week to make the entire month of April devoted to the needs of victims of crime and declare April to be California Crime Victims' Rights Month.

Each year, nearly 164,000 violent crimes occur in our state. The good news is crime has seen a decrease over the past decade, however, these violent acts continue to mount and with it, victims and survivors continue to need our help. Last year, the California Victim Compensation Program (CalVCP) received over 65,000 applications for services and was able to provide more than $98 million in services to victims. But there is so much more we can do for them.

During California Crime Victims' Rights Month, we are dedicated to creating more awareness of the senseless acts that occur in our Golden State and educating victims and survivors of crime to the resources available to them through state and local programs as well as through victim advocacy groups and non-profit assistance organizations. We are also committed to working with lawmakers to make the necessary changes to better protect residents and visitors by prevent criminal activity in the first place.

California Crime Victims' Rights Month is about honoring victims and respecting their rights. This month is about protecting victims from enduring any more than they already have and it is about empowering every victim. The California Victim Compensation Program is proud to be part of California Victims' Rights Month and to be a partner in protecting victims’ rights.

---

Julie Nauman is the Executive Officer for the Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board (VCGCB), appointed in 2008. VCGCB provides compensation for victims of violent crime and helps to resolve claims against the State.