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Resource Centers
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THIS SITE BEST
VIEWED IN INTERNET EXPLORER 6.0
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HIGHER.
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Member Spotlight Is on...
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Heather Williams, Program Director and Crisis
Response Team Coordinator
National Center
Member
Organization: Community Service
Programs, INC
Expertise: Victim Assistance
Programs
Contact: HWilliams@cspinc.org (949)
975-0244
Traditionally, when a crime occurs within a community, law
enforcement and victim services focus on primary victims, often leaving
witnesses and neighbors fearful and without resources to process their own
trauma. CSP's Crisis Response Team (CRT) works in cooperation with local
law enforcement to provide coordinated response to those individuals who,
while not the primary victim, are impacted in significant ways. CRT
provides individual and group crisis intervention and support helping to
normalize stress reactions, offers a framework for understanding what has
occurred, and encourages cooperation with law enforcement. CRT's support
promotes community healing in the aftermath of violent crime.
Q: What does being a member of the National
Center mean to you?
A: As a member agency we are
appreciative of the quality, up-to-date resources available through the
National Center. The resource library is an especially beneficial
asset in these times when training dollars are so
limited.
Q: What have you learned from working
with crime victims?
| A: |
1. |
In the 10 years I have been doing this work I always thought
that the word "victim" meant so much more then just the primary
person impacted by the crime. The metaphor of throwing a rock into a
pond and seeing the continuous ripples is appropriate to what
happens in the aftermath of crime. Each time we respond to a
critical crime related incident the metaphor is validated as we
realize the far reaching impact of the crime. In order to change the
way the system responds to crime we must educate first responders
and give them the template to think beyond the often narrow view of
victimization. |
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2. |
We can NEVER understand what a victim goes through no matter
what we've experienced ourselves. We can only imagine the impact
it's had on them as an individual. This keeps me humble and I feel
honored that I able to assist someone in the possible worst day(s)
and moments of their life. |
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3. |
LISTEN to what a victim tells you, don't assume you already
know. |
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4. |
People are incredibly resilient and have more strength in a
moment of adversity then we can imagine. The will to survive is
powerful. |
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5. |
In a system that traditionally protects the rights of the
accused, we must be strong, professional and diplomatic leaders
while standing up for what is just and fair for the right's of the
victims. |
Q: What is the critical need
in the victim services field?
A:In November 2009,
California passed Marcy's Law which extends the definition of "victim" and
provides more rights to victims of crime. The CSP Crisis Response
Team is an innovative program that is unique to the State of California
and possibly the nation. As of today, we are unfunded and this program
runs on the sheer determination and passion of the team members and CRT
Coordinator. I wish that all counties would have institutionalized grant
money available to create and operate crisis response teams. Every person
in a community impacted by a critical incident should have the ability to
talk to a crisis counselor, have their responses validated and normalized.
Immediate response to people impacted by crime can minimize the onset of
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), prevent mental illness (which is a
form of crime prevention), create healthy communities and build a strong
partnership with law enforcement.
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Mark W. Nowacki, Director
National Center
Member
Organization: Culpeper
Victim/Witness Program, Virginia
Expertise: Assisting
crime victims
Contact: (540) 727 3413
For the
past 13 years, Culpeper Victim Witness Program has organized a luncheon in
April to honor survivors of crime and to raise crime victims' rights
awareness during the National Crime Victims' Rights Week. Dignitaries from
the community attend this annual event during which a "Victim's Advocacy
Award" is presented to members of the community who deserve recognition
for their care of victims and committment to victims' rights. This year's
speaker was University of Virginia football coach Mike
London.
Q: What does being a member of the
National Center mean to you?
A: Membership at the
National Center has been a wonderful tool to educate our victim service
providers. With the National Center's help, we build alliances with other
advocates and stay informed on important legislation and news about
victims' rights around the country.
Q: What have
you learned from working with crime victims?
A:
First of all, victimization knows no boundaries, and every victim should
be treated with dignity and respect. Our work as victim service advocates
is a critical component of the criminal justice system and has a huge
impact in reducing the burden and trauma victims experience in the
aftermath of a crime, as the recovery is a long and complicated
process.
Q: What is the critical need in the
victim services field?
A: Those of us that provide
direct services to victims and witnesses of crime are proud to offer a
variety of comprehensive services. The limitations and restrictions on
funding have prevented us from doing more. With help and support, we can
do even more to help reduce the trauma every victim of crime suffers
through.
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Herman Milholland and David
Voth
National Center Members
We
congratulate Mr. Herman Milholland and Mr. David Voth on receiving the
2010 Ed Stout Memorial Award for Outstanding Victim Advocacy from the
Congressional Victims' Rights Caucus, chaired by Reps. Ted Poe (R-TX) and
Jim Costa (D-CA), in Washington, DC.
Mr. Herman Milholland, director of Crime
Victim Services for the Texas Attorney General, has established state and
local programs that provide crime victims with compensation and
restitution.
Mr. David Voth, director of
Crime Victim Services in Lima, Ohio, is a founding member of the Board of
the National Victims' Constitutional Amendment Network, which seeks to
promote victims' rights across the nation. In 2009, he published "Quality
Victim Advocacy: A Field Guide," which aims to simplify program planning
and evaluation for victim assistance groups.
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Larry Tackman
National Center
Member
Organization: New Mexico Crime
Victims Reparation Commission
Expertise: Crime Victim
Compensation
We congratulate Mr. Larry Tackman, former director of
the New Mexico Crime Victims Reparation Commission and a member of the
National Center for Victims of Crime, on receiving the 2010 Ronald Wilson
Reagan Public Policy Award presented during this year's National Crime
Victims' Service Awards ceremony in Washington, DC.
This
prestigious award is given to those whose leadership, vision, and
innovation have led to significant changes in public policy and practice
that benefit crime victims.
To view his profile from the award
ceremony click here.
|
 Vilma Torres, Victim
Advocate
National Center Member
Organization:
Safe Horizon, Bronx Criminal Court
Expertise: Working with
homicide survivors
Contact: vtorres@safehorizon.org
For 25 years, Vilma has worked with families affected by homicide
in all five boroughs of New York City. Currently, she supervises the Bronx
Criminal Court Reception Center and Complaint Room that provides
crisis intervention, safety assessment and risk management, shelter
placement, and advocacy with the New York City Police Department and the
District Attorney's office.
Vilma conducts Safe Horizon's staff
training on grief and loss, bereavement, and the impact of homicide on
families' lives, which adapts Dr. Edward K. Rynearson's group model of
therapeutic intervention for families of homicide victims.
Vilma
has launched activities, such as the Safe Horizon Children's Chorale, to
support the most vulnerable family members. She has also helped coordinate
large-scale events, such as Safe Horizon's National Crime Victims' Rights
Week observance, the Children's Requiem, and the Million Mom March. Such
initiatives build on victims' strengths and convey attention and respect
to those harmed by crime. She also presents regularly at national
conferences and regional trainings throughout the country.
Interested in being featured in our Member Spotlight? Tell us about your
work. (For National Center Members
Only. To learn more about our membership benefits click
here.) | |
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