View the VVAA Governor's Proclamation

DCJS successfully applied for a competitive grant from the federal Office for Victims of Crime to develop and present the first Virginia Victim Assistance Academy which was held on the University of Richmond campus from July 27-August 1, 2008. The Academy was designed to provide a 45-hour comprehensive, academic, interdisciplinary and interactive training program for crime victims services providers, as well as allied professionals who work with crime victims. The curriculum is designed for those with three or fewer years of experience.

Virginia is one of 37 states developing or presenting state victim assistance academies. The academies are modeled after the National Victim Assistance Academy; however, they provide state-specific training in victim issues.

Competition for the limited seating available at the Academy was intense. DCJS received 124 student applications by the April 1, 2008 deadline. The student selection committee met and selected a diverse multi-disciplinary group of students from across the state to attend the Academy.

There were 29 students who graduated from the 2008 Virginia Victim Assistance Academy. In addition there were 27 faculty members and 11 staff members. Staff members included two facilitators (Mandie Patterson and Joan Neff), 5 coaches (Kathleen Demro, Erin Osborne, Lisa Furr, Shannon Freeman and Sheree Hedrick), one site coordinator (Patricia Foster), one curriculum developer (Judy Gundy), an evaluator (Sherri Johnson), and a photographer (Nancy Fowler).

The 2008 class was a diverse group of individuals. Ages of participants ranged from early twenties to late fifties. There were 25 females and 4 males. Students represented all parts of the state, including Northern Virginia, Tidewater, Central Virginia, Southwest Virginia, and the Shenandoah Valley. Ages of participants ranged from early twenties to late fifties.

Eight students worked in victim/witness programs, 4 in sexual violence programs, 2 in domestic violence programs, and 4 were from dual domestic and sexual violence programs. There were 3 students representing law enforcement agencies, 2 university students, 1 representing Mothers Against Drunk Driving, 1 from a prevention program, 1 nurse, 1 representative from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund, 1 probation and parole officer, and 1 substance abuse counselor.

The Virginia Victim Assistance Academy is an exciting partnership between state, local and federal agencies; higher education institutions; and statewide and local programs. The Academy was designed by a multi-disciplinary Steering Committee, which included representatives from DCJS, as well as university partners, the University of Richmond and Virginia Commonwealth University. Other members on the committee included representatives from law enforcement, prosecution, the Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alliance, the Virginia Network for Victims and Witnesses of Crime, the Department of Social Services, the Department of Corrections, the Parole Board, the Attorney General's Office, the Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the FBI., local victim assistance programs, and crime victims.

The goals of the Academy were to:

• Enhance the quality and consistency of victims services in Virginia.
• Strengthen and improve responses to crime victims.
• Promote a statewide standard of knowledge and skills needed to provide effective services to crime victims.
• Encourage collaboration between victims services providers, allied professional, policymakers, educators and researchers.
• Provide opportunities for professional development.

In order to assess the Academy’s impact and to strengthen and improve it in its second year, a strong evaluation component was built into the Virginia Victim Assistance Academy. The evaluation was cooperatively designed by DCJS and the University of Richmond and includes knowledge-based pre- and post tests developed to measure participants’ increase in knowledge of basic learning objectives, as well as evaluations of all Academy sessions and activities, faculty evaluations, and staff debriefs to review the process of developing and implementing the Academy. We anticipate having a report on the results of the evaluation later this fall.

An initial review of evaluations completed by participants indicates that they viewed the Academy very positively. More specific results will be available after the data are analyzed.

In recognition of the graduation of the Virginia Victim Assistance Academy’s inaugural class, Governor Kaine signed a proclamation designating August 1, 2008 as Victim Advocate Day in Virginia.

In the proclamation the Governor noted a number of unique and noteworthy features of the Academy. These included the following:

Whereas the Virginia Victim Assistance Academy (VVAA) provides a 45-hour comprehensive, academically-based, interdisciplinary and interactive educational program for victim advocates; along with a curriculum that provides a foundation in the principles and policies of victims’ rights, as well as skills, knowledge, and resources that will enable graduates to better meet the needs of all victims; and,

Whereas the VVAA establishes a statewide standard of knowledge and skills needed to provide effective services to crime victims; and,

The VVAA promotes collaboration between victim service providers, allied professionals, policymakers, educators and researchers, in addition to providing opportunities for victim advocates to earn credentials to enhance their professional development and career opportunities…

The proclamation also noted the fact that the Academy was designed by a multi-disciplinary committee. The collaboration among the various agencies and professions as well as several sections of DCJS contributed to a highly successful and well-received Academy.

Resources permitting, DCJS hopes to repeat this Basic Academy every year, in the summers.

The highly successful first Virginia Victim Assistance Academy will serve as a model for future Academies, and will be improved and strengthened based on the results of the evaluation.

Note: This project is supported by Grant No. 2006-VF-GX-K026, awarded by the Office for Victims of Crime, Office of Justice Programs, and U.S. Department of Justice.