Today, the Department of Justice honored 12 individuals and programs for their exceptional service to victims of crime during the annual National Crime Victims’ Service Awards Ceremony in Washington, D.C.
"In law enforcement, we are sworn to serve and protect," Attorney General Sessions said. "We carry out this oath every day by protecting the rights of law abiding people from criminals and by achieving justice for crime victims. Today, we remember the millions of Americans who are either the brave survivors or the loved ones that have been left behind after criminal attacks. We also thank those who have gone above and beyond the call of duty in their service to those victims. As we do so, we recommit ourselves to fulfilling our oath and to reducing crime in America." The Office for Victims of Crime, a component of the Department’s Office of Justice Programs, leads communities in observing National Crime Victims’ Rights Week each year and hosts an awards ceremony to honor outstanding work on behalf of crime victims. President Ronald Reagan proclaimed the first National Crime Victims’ Rights Week in 1981 to bring greater sensitivity to the needs and rights of victims of crime. This year’s observance takes place April 8-14, 2018 with the theme Expand the Circle: Reach All Victims.
“The extraordinary contributions that these individuals and teams have made, and the exceptional service that they perform each and every day on behalf of victims, is remarkable,” said Alan Hanson, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs. “The Department of Justice is proud to recognize their achievements and to share in their day of honor.” The following are award recipients who were selected by the Office for Victims of Crime from public nominations in 10 categories. Individual press releases are available using the included links: Allied Professional Award recognizes individuals from a specific discipline outside the victim assistance field for their service to victims and/or contributions to the victim assistance field.
Recipient: William (Bill) Citty of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Award for Professional Innovation in Victim Services recognizes a program, organization, or individual who has helped to expand the reach of victims’ rights and services.
Recipient: The late Joye E. Frost of Washington, D.C.
Crime Victims Financial Restoration Award honors individuals, programs, or teams that developed innovative ways of funding services for crime victims, or instituted innovative approaches for securing financial restoration for crime victims.
Recipient: Program Management and Training Unit in the Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section, Criminal Division, U.S. Department of Justice of Washington D.C.
Crime Victims’ Rights Award honors the dedicated champions throughout our nation whose efforts to advance or enforce crime victims’ rights have benefited victims of crime at the local, state, tribal, or national level.
Recipient: Dawne Lomangino-DiMauro of Galloway, New Jersey Federal Service Award recognizes the extraordinary efforts of federal agency personnel who lead initiatives or reforms and make extraordinary contributions that impact victims of federal, tribal, and military crimes, or more broadly promote victims’ rights and services for underserved victims nationally and internationally.
Recipient: Kevin Rivers and Sherry Rice of Sacaton, Arizona National Crime Victim Service Award honors extraordinary individuals and programs that provide services to victims of crime.
Recipients: Shawn Partridge of Tulsa, Oklahoma Tina L. Fox of Nashville, Tennessee Debra McCall Reed of Dover, Delaware Ronald Wilson Reagan Public Policy Award honors those whose leadership, vision, and innovation have led to significant changes in public policy and practice that benefit crime victims.
Recipient: Casey Gwinn of San Diego, California Special Courage Award recognizes a victim or survivor who has exhibited exceptional perseverance or determination in dealing with his or her own victimization.
Recipient: Michelle L. Kuiper of Louisville, Kentucky Tomorrow’s Leaders Award seeks to honor and highlight youth up to age 24 who have dedicated their efforts to supporting victims of crime.
Recipient: Shelby Kay Looper of Muncie, Indiana Volunteer for Victim Award honors individuals for their extraordinary and selfless efforts resulting in positive and lasting changes in the lives of crime victims.
Recipient: Travis County Sheriff’s Office, Victim Services Unit Volunteer Program of Austin, Texas Each year in April, the Department of Justice observes National Crime Victims’ Rights Week by taking time to honor victims of crime and those who advocate on their behalf. In addition, the Justice Department and U.S. Attorney’s Offices organize events to honor the victims and advocates, as well as bring awareness to services available to victims of crime. This year’s observance takes place April 8-14, with the theme Expand the Circle: Reach All Victims.
The Department of Justice’s Office for Victims of Crime, within the Office of Justice Programs, leads communities across the country in observing National Crime Victims’ Rights Week each year. President Ronald Reagan proclaimed the first National Crime Victims’ Rights Week in 1981 to bring greater sensitivity to the needs and rights of victims of crime.
The Office of Justice Programs provides innovative leadership to federal, state, local, and tribal justice systems, by disseminating state-of-the art knowledge and practices across America, and providing grants for the implementation of these crime fighting strategies. Because most of the responsibility for crime control and prevention falls to law enforcement officers in states, cities, and neighborhoods, the federal government can be effective in these areas only to the extent that it can enter into partnerships with these officers. More information about the Office of Justice Programs and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov. More information about Crime Victim’s Rights Week can be found at https://ovc.ncjrs.gov/ncvrw/.
Source: US Department of Justice
