RCASA is a private, non-profit (501c3) agency, which provides services for victims of sexual assault and their family, friends and partners.

RCASA seeks to raise public awareness of the issues surrounding sexual assault through special media events, information displays and education programs for the entire community

RCASA provides the following services to the residents of the City of Fredericksburg, and the counties of Stafford, Spotsylvania, King George and Caroline, collectively known as Planning District 16.  RCASA also provides emergency medical accompaniment for victims seeking care at Mary Washington Hospital Emergency Department from other counties such as Westmoreland, Louisa, Orange, Culpeper and Warsaw.

The Rappahannock Council Against Sexual Assault started in 1986, is the only place in Central Virginia that specializes in treatment for victims of sexually based crimes such as: sexual assault, sexual abuse, stalking, and sexual harassment.

Violence against women and girls is one of the most widespread violations of human rights. It can include physical, sexual, psychological and economic abuse, and it cuts across boundaries of age, race, culture, wealth and geography. It takes place in the home, on the streets, in schools, the workplace, in farm fields, refugee camps, during conflicts and crises. It has many manifestations — from the most universally prevalent forms of domestic and sexual violence, to harmful practices, abuse during pregnancy, so-called honour killings and other types of femicide.

International and regional legal instruments have clarified obligations of States to prevent, eradicate and punish violence against women and girls. The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) requires that countries party to the Convention take all appropriate steps to end violence. However, the continued prevalence of violence against women and girls demonstrates that this global pandemic of alarming proportions is yet to be tackled with all the necessary political commitment and resources.

Globally, up to six out of every ten women experience physical and/or sexual violence in their lifetime. A World Health Organization study of 24,000 women in 10 countries found that the prevalence of physical and/or sexual violence by a partner varied from 15 percent in urban Japan to 71 percent in rural Ethiopia, with most areas being in the 30–60 percent range.

Violence against women and girls has far-reaching consequences, harming families and communities. For women and girls 16–44 years old, violence is a major cause of death and disability. In 1994, a World Bank study on ten selected risk factors facing girls and women in this age group, found rape and domestic violence more dangerous than cancer, motor vehicle accidents, war and malaria. Studies also reveal increasing links between violence against women and HIV and AIDS. A survey among 1,366 South African women showed that women who were beaten by their partners were 48 percent more likely to be infected with HIV than those who were not.

Gender-based violence not only violates human rights, but also hampers productivity, reduces human capital and undermines economic growth. A 2003 report from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that the costs of intimate partner violence in the United States alone exceeds US$5.8 billion per year: US$4.1 billion are for direct medical and health care services, while productivity losses account for nearly US$1.8 billion due to absenteeism.

Countries have made some progress in addressing violence against women and girls. According to the UN Secretary-General’s 2006 In-Depth Study on All Forms of Violence against Women, 89 countries had some legislation on domestic violence, and a growing number of countries had instituted national plans of action. Marital rape is a prosecutable offence in at least 104 States, and 90 countries have laws on sexual harassment. However, in too many countries gaps remain. In 102 countries there are no specific legal provisions against domestic violence, and marital rape is not a prosecutable offence in at least 53 nations.

From United Nations Women: http://www.unifem.org/gender_issues/violence_against_women/

I want to thank you for the great speech you gave at the General Assembly about the prevalence of sexual and domestic violence in Virginia.  As both the leader of a local center serving central Virginia and a Governing Body member of the Action Alliance, I appreciate the recognition you gave our work and your knowledge of the extent of what we really do.   The staff, boards, volunteers, interns, and members here at RCASA and at the Action Alliance appreciate all that you do as an individual and a delegate to support our work to help support survivors of violence. 

Senator Mark Herring:

I want to thank you for your support of the issues important to those serving survivors of sexual and domestic violence and stalking.  We appreciate your support of the Action Alliance license plate bill that will provide another funding source for our local centers.  Your support of the bills dealing with strangulation and firearms prohibitions related to domestic violence criminal convictions and equal protections for sexual and domestic violence victims is also an important effort for us and the safety of our community. 

Related articles

• Legislative Advocacy Day at with VA ACTION ALLIANCE (rcasa.wordpress.com)
• Lobby for Sexual and Domestic Violence Services and Funding (preventviolence.wordpress.com)
• Peace Begins at Home license plate (preventviolence.wordpress.com)

 At RCASA, when an individual faces a conflict or trauma, their supporters become susceptible to vicarious traumatization (being traumatized by another person’s traumatic experience).  It may result in a difficulty for all parties to process this.  Art can become the avenue for processing that conversation. 

 We see signs every day made of shapes and symbols that convey a message to us.  Through making art together, we can use the same creative language to meet on a nonverbal level.

1. Protect funding for core safety and crisis services for victims of sexual and domestic violence.

The Action Alliance will be closely monitoring the state budget process to ensure that funding for core crisis and safety services for victims of domestic and sexual violence is protected from cuts. Funding for crisis and safety services support emergency shelter and transportation, hotlines, court advocacy, and counseling.

2. Establish a “Building Healthy Futures Fund” to support efforts to prevent sexual and domestic violence. Support legislation to create a special interest license plate, “Peace Begins at Home.”

Virginia’s Sexual and Domestic Violence Advocacy Agencies are engaged in a wide variety of prevention efforts across the state to reduce risk factors and promote healthy communities and relationships and they are struggling to fund those initiatives. In order to sustain and expand prevention efforts—with the ultimate goal of reducing the incidence and prevalence of both sexual and domestic violence, the Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alliance is launching the Building Healthy Futures Fund. For more information on the Building Healthy Futures Fund or pre-ordering a “Peace Begins at Home” plate, please visit http://www.vadv.org/secAction/bhff.html.

3. Preserve access to services for ALL victims of sexual and domestic violence in Virginia regardless of immigration status.

The Action Alliance is opposed to any legislation that will hinder the ability of victims of sexual and domestic violence to access services needed to escape and/or address violence because of immigration status, including crisis intervention, emergency transportation, shelter, and advocacy services offered by Sexual and Domestic Violence Agencies. Victims of domestic violence and sexual assault already face tremendous barriers to reporting and seeking help. When victims perceive that law enforcement is to be feared rather than trusted, it undercuts community policing and efforts to enhance victim/witness cooperation in criminal investigations and prosecutions to hold perpetrators accountable. We oppose any legislation that threatens access to safety, including but not limited to, services provided by law enforcement, the courts, crisis services, and protections made available through the Violence Against Women Act.

4. Campus Sexual Assault

The Action Alliance has been closely monitoring the State Crime Commission’s study of House Bill 2490, which relates to law enforcement response to sexual assaults that occur on campus. Our organization will support legislation that requires notification and collaboration between campuses and communities when there has been a sexual assault reported by a student. The model legislation we have offered is consistent with the best practices promoted by the Action Alliance and allied partners across the state.

5. Protective Orders

In 2011, the Action Alliance served on the Governor’s Domestic Violence Prevention and Response Advisory Board. Our agency will support legislation, recommended by the Board, that would allow for the extension of “permanent” protective orders issued in the Circuit Court and require Circuit Court clerks to submit protective orders to law enforcement by the end of the business day on which they are issued.

Last year, the General Assembly overhauled Virginia’s civil protective order process to provide equal access and equal protections to victims of stalking, dating violence and sexual assault. The Action Alliance will continue to monitor all legislation related to civil protective orders to ensure that Virginia’s laws continue to protect all victims of sexual and domestic violence.

6. Enhanced Penalties for Strangulation

During the work of the Governor’s Domestic Violence Prevention and Response Advisory Board, there were discussions about the challenges to prosecuting acts of strangulation in Virginia. As a result, the Governor is introducing legislation that creates an enhanced penalty for acts of strangulation committed against a family or household member. The Action Alliance has concerns about the narrow application of the legislation (recognizing that strangulation is an act that occurs commonly in dating violence and during a sexual assault). The Action Alliance will continue to monitor this legislation and advocate that any revisions to the Code protect all victims of sexual and domestic violence.

Please join us for a breakfast reception on Wednesday, January 25 from 9:30-11:30am in 7 West during our Legislative Advocacy Day!

http://www.vadv.org/secProjects/publicpolicy.html

What is it?

Stalking is a pattern of behavior that makes you feel afraid, nervous, harassed, or in danger. It is when someone repeatedly contacts you, follows you, sends you things, talks to you when you don’t want them to, or threatens you. Stalking behaviors can include:

• Writing letters
• Damaging your property
• Knowing your schedule
• Showing up at places you go
• Sending mail, e-mail, and pictures
• Creating a website about you
• Sending gifts
• Stealing things that belong to you
• Calling you repeatedly
• Or any other actions that the stalker takes to contact, harass, track, or frighten you.

You can be stalked by someone you know casually, a current boyfriend or girlfriend, someone you dated in the past, or a stranger. Getting notes and gifts at your home, in your locker, or other places might seem sweet and harmless to other people. But if you don’t want the gifts, phone calls, messages, letters, e-mails it doesn’t feel sweet or harmless. It can be scary and frustrating.

Sometimes people stalk their boyfriends or girlfriends while they’re dating. They check up on them, page or call them all the time and expect instant responses, follow them, and generally keep track of them even when they haven’t made plans to be together. These stalking behaviors can be part of an abusive relationship. If this is happening to you or someone you know, you should talk to someone.

Stalking is a crime and can be dangerous. The legal definition of stalking and possible punishment for it changes from state to state. Contact a victim service provider or your local police to learn about stalking laws in your state are and how you can protect yourself.

If you are being stalked, you might…

• Feel helpless, anxious, fearful, angry or depressed
• Feel like you can never get away from the stalker
• Think the stalker is always watching you
• Feel frustrated that the stalker won’t leave you alone
• Have difficulty sleeping or concentrating
• Have nightmares
• Lose or gain weight
• Not know what might happen next

You’re not alone

• 1,006,970 women and 370, 990 are stalked annually in the United States.
• 77 percent of female and 64 percent of male victims know their stalker.
• Most victims are stalked for 1.8 years.
• 82 percent of stalkers who pursued female victims followed them, spied on them, stood outside their home, place of work, or recreation; 61 percent of stalkers made unwanted phone calls; 33 percent sent or left unwanted letters or items; 29 percent percent vandalized property; and 9 percent killed or threatened to kill a family pet.

Get help

If you are stalked, it is not your fault. Stalkers are responsible for their behavior, not the victims. If you believe that someone is stalking you, you can:

• Contact the police.
• Tell your parent, friend, school principal or another person you can trust.
• If you don’t know where to go for help, contact us at 1-800-FYI-CALL or gethelp@nvcv.org.

Help Yourself

Think about ways you can be safer. This means thinking about what to do, where to go for help, and who to call ahead of time

• Where can you go for help?
• Who can you call?
• Who will help you?
• How will you escape a violent situation?

Here are other things you can do:

• Let friends or family members know when you are afraid or need help.
• When you go out, tell someone where you are going and when you’ll be back.
• In an emergency call 911 or your local police department.
• Memorize the phone numbers of people to contact or places to go in an emergency.
• Keep spare change, calling cards, or a cell phone handy.
• Save notes, letters or other items that the stalker sends to you and keep a record of all contact that the stalker has with you. These items will be very useful to the police.
• If you choose to tell, you should know that some adults are mandated reporters. This means they are legally required to report neglect or abuse to someone else, like the police or child protective services. You can ask people if they are mandated reporters and then decide what you want to do. Some examples of mandated reporters are teachers, counselors, doctors, social workers, and in some cases, even coaches or activity leaders. If you want to help deciding who to talk to, call our Helpline at 1-800-FYI-CALL, or an anonymous crisis line in your area. You might also want to talk to a trusted family member, a friend’s parent, an adult neighbor or friend, an older sibling or cousin, or other experienced person who you trust.
• If you want to get advice about who to talk to, call our helpline (1-800-FYI-CALL) or an anonymous crisis hotline in your area. You might also want to talk to a trusted family member, a friend’s parent, an adult neighbor or friend, an older sibling or cousin, or other experienced person who you trust.

Help Someone Else

If you know someone who is being stalked, you can:

• Encourage your friend to seek help
• Be a good listener
• Offer your support
• Ask how you can help
• Educate yourself about stalking
• Avoid any confrontations with the stalker. This could be dangerous for you and your friend.

If you want to read more?

• …about stalking, read our GET HELP Series bulletins on stalking, protective orders, a stalking safety plan, and stalking log.
• …about dating violence, read our GET HELP Series bulletins on domestic violence, stalking, and teen dating violence.

Sobre el acoso sexual, y especialmente sobre sus víctimas, existe la creencia generalizada, que puede catalogarse como mito, de que está relacionado con los cánones de belleza; sin embargo, el problema del acoso sexual tiene que ver, más bien, con las relaciones de poder (INSHT, 2001c).

La frecuencia del acoso sexual es reiterada, por lo tanto no se trata de comportamientos aislados. El acoso sexual en las organizaciones se ve favorecido por aspectos organizativos como la sexualización del entorno de trabajo, la proporción de hombres-mujeres, el tipo de tareas que realizan, la discriminación sexual, el clima laboral o la valoración del trabajo (Llaneza Álvarez, 2002).

El acoso sexual puede ser sufrido tanto por hombres como por mujeres. Sin embargo, quizá la mujer es la principal víctima porque en el mercado laboral su situación es más de subordinación jerárquica o inestable en el empleo.

El acoso sexual afecta principalmente a mujeres jóvenes, de ingresos reducidos, educación no profesional, que han sido asediadas por largo tiempo y solo se deciden a denunciar el hecho, como último recurso.

El Diccionario de la Real Academia de la Lengua define el acoso sexual como el que tiene por objeto obtener los favores sexuales de una persona cuando quien lo realiza abusa de su posición de superioridad sobre quien lo sufre.

Según la OIT (1995; 1997), para que haya acoso sexual deben integrarse tres elementos: un comportamiento de carácter sexual, que no sea deseado y que la víctima lo perciba como un condicionante hostil para su trabajo, convirtiéndolo en algo humillante. El acoso sexual es cualquier tipo de acercamiento o presión de naturaleza sexual tanto física como verbal, no deseada por quien la sufre, que surge de la relación de empleo y que da por resultado un ambiente de trabajo hostil, un impedimento para hacer las tareas y un condicionamiento de las oportunidades de ocupación de la persona perseguida.

Pueden establecerse los siguientes niveles de conductas:

1. Acoso leve: chistes, piropos, conversaciones de contenido sexual.
2. Acoso moderado: miradas, gestos lascivos, muecas.
3. Acoso medio: llamadas telefónicas y cartas, presiones para salir o invitaciones con intenciones sexuales.
4. Acoso fuerte: manoseos, sujetar o acorralar.
5. Acoso muy fuerte: chantaje o presiones tanto físicas como psíquicas para tener contactos íntimos.

El acoso sexual incluye:

• Conductas físicas de naturaleza sexual que pueden ir desde tocamientos innecesarios, “palmaditas”, “pellizquitos”, roces con el cuerpo, hasta el intento de violación y la coacción para relaciones sexuales.
• Conducta verbal de naturaleza sexual como insinuaciones sexuales molestas, proposiciones, flirteos ofensivos, comentarios e insinuaciones obscenas.
• Conducta no verbal de naturaleza sexual como exhibir de fotos de contenido sexual o pornográfico o materiales escritos de tipo sexual o miradas con gestos impúdicos.

Así, los casos de acoso sexual que se suelen describir son:

• Que algún compañero se acerca demasiado o invade el espacio físico reiteradamente.
• Que algún superior o compañero presiona para mantener relaciones o salir juntos.
• Que algún superior ha insinuado mejoras laborales a cambio de favores sexuales.
• Que han sufrido asalto o agresión sexual por parte de alguien del trabajo
• Que sufren roces o tocamientos indeseados por parte de clientes, compañeros o jefes.

Uno de los aspectos problemáticos del acoso sexual reside en aquellos supuestos en que las conductas indeseadas no llevan a una acción violenta del primer tipo, sino que consisten en insinuaciones, propuestas, manifestaciones verbales que también violentan al trabajador afectado, pero que lo hace más desde una perspectiva psíquica que física, ya que las acciones violentas tienen una clara cobertura penal.

A cada persona le corresponde determinar el comportamiento que aprueba o tolera, lo que imposibilita el hacer una relación de conductas vejatorias. Por tanto, la determinación de qué comportamientos resultan o no molestos es algo que depende del receptor de las conductas, siendo en este punto irrelevante la intencionalidad del emisor de las conductas.

Por tanto, el acoso sexual consiste en la acción impuesta sin reciprocidad, inesperada y no bien recibida, frecuente y repetitiva que puede tener un efecto devastador en la víctima. Puede incluir tocamientos, insinuaciones, miradas, actitudes chocantes, bromas con lenguaje ofensivo, alusiones a la vida privada y personal, referencias a la orientación sexual, insinuaciones con connotación sexual, alusiones a la figura y a la ropa, etc.

En definitiva, se trata de una conducta inesperada, de naturaleza sexual u otra conducta basada en el sexo que afecta a la dignidad de la persona. Incluye conducta verbal o no verbal, física y no deseada. Hay un rango de conductas que pueden constituir acoso sexual. Esa conducta debe ser inesperada irrazonable, inaceptable y ofensiva para el destinatario.

Se deben distinguir dos formas o tipos de acoso sexual en el trabajo:

1. Acoso quid pro quo

Chantaje sexual o acoso de intercambio (esto a cambio de eso), realizado por un superior, y que puede afectar negativamente al trabajo. En este tipo de acoso lo que se produce es propiamente un chantaje que fuerza a un trabajador a elegir entre someterse a los requerimientos sexuales o ver perjudicados ciertos beneficios o condiciones del trabajo. Se trata de un abuso de autoridad, porque supone amenazas por parte de un cargo superior de consecuencias negativas (despido, no renovación del contrato, peores condiciones laborales, etc.) si no se aceptan los requerimientos de tipo sexual.
Es decir que consiste en el abuso desde una posición de poder para lograr beneficios sexuales. La respuesta al acoso sirve de base, implícita o explícitamente, para decisiones relacionadas con el acceso de dicha persona a la formación profesional o al empleo, a la continuidad del contrato de trabajo, a la promoción profesional, al aumento de salario, etc. (González de Rivera, 2002).

1. Acoso sexual ambiental (hostile environment harassment)

La Recomendación de la Comisión Europea se refiere a una conducta que crea un ambiente de trabajo humillante, hostil o amenazador para el acosado (INSHT, 2001c). Es decir, el acoso sexual ambiental se genera cuando se crea un clima de trabajo hostil y sexual, lo suficientemente grave e intenso como para alterar las condiciones laborales del trabajador y crear un entorno laboral abusivo. En este tipo de acoso lo definitorio es el desarrollo de un comportamiento de naturaleza sexual de cualquier tipo (bromas persistentes y graves de carácter sexual, alusiones o comentarios groseros sobre la vida íntima del trabajador, requerimientos a trabajadores para que lleven una ropa sexualmente insinuante, etc.), lo que genera un contexto laboral negativo -intimidatorio, hostil, ofensivo, humillante- para el trabajador, lo cual tiene como consecuencia que el trabajador no pueda desarrollar su prestación laboral en un ambiente adecuado, ya que se ve sometido a un tipo de presión por conductas de tipo sexual en el trabajo que termina creándole una situación laboral intolerable. En muchas ocasiones este ambiente laboral inadecuado puede ser aceptado como una costumbre o una situación normal en nuestra cultura.

Un estudio sobre el acoso sexual en España publicado por Comisiones Obreras en noviembre de 2000 revela que el hostigamiento sexual se puede producir entre personas de todo el escalafón laboral, tanto entre profesionales como entre los trabajadores de menor cualificación. Además, el acoso sexual no tiene edad. Puede afectar por igual a una joven de veinte años que a una trabajadora de cuarenta. El perfil de la víctima no queda claramente definido, depende de la persona y de su situación laboral. En el estudio mencionado se observa que algunas mujeres son más vulnerables que otras. Casi un treinta por ciento de los incidentes han tenido como protagonistas a trabajadoras sin contrato. Por tanto, se podría deducir que la precariedad laboral es un factor de riesgo. Otro dato significativo es que el cuarenta por ciento de las víctimas están separadas o divorciadas. Al parecer, tener pareja estable genera un cierto respeto que inhibe a los compañeros. En el Código Penal Español se define al acosador como “el que solicita favores de naturaleza sexual, para sí o para un tercero, en el ámbito de una relación laboral, docente o de prestación de servicios, continuada o habitual, y con tal comportamiento provoca a la víctima una situación objetiva y gravemente intimidatoria, hostil o humillante”.

En relación con el perfil del acosador, los datos indican que suele tratarse de un mando intermedio, hombre casado o con pareja estable y con hijos, con carácter infantil y caprichoso, frío, machista y con escasa empatía

Aunque el impacto del acoso sexual a una persona está moderado por su vulnerabilidad, no cabe duda que afecta negativamente tanto al trabajador como al proceso productivo, ya que genera absentismo, bajas por enfermedad, menor productividad debido al descenso de la cantidad y calidad del trabajo y a la menor motivación para el trabajo.

También se manifiesta sintomatología asociada al estrés como estados de ansiedad y depresión, sentimientos de desesperación y de indefensión, de impotencia, de ira, de aversión, de infravaloración, de baja autoestima, así como trastornos del sueño, dolor de cabeza, problemas gastrointestinales, náuseas, hipertensión, úlceras, etc.

Aunque las consecuencias del acoso sexual afectan fundamentalmente a la persona contra la cual se ejerce el acoso, también incide negativamente sobre los trabajadores que pueden ser testigos o conocer el problema.

La manera más efectiva de hacer frente al acoso sexual es elaborar y aplicar una política en el ámbito empresarial.Deben existir procedimientos tanto formales como informales. Los procedimientos informales buscan solucionar la situación a través de la confrontación directa entre las partes o a través de un intermediario; los procedimientos formales buscan una investigación del asunto y la imposición final de sanciones si se confirma la existencia de acoso. Se debe animar a solucionar el problema de manera informal. Se aconseja acudir al procedimiento formal cuando el informal no dé resultado o sea inapropiado para resolver el problema.

Si tu o alguien que tu conoces ha sido victima de acoso sexual o algun tipo de abuso sexual y necesita(s) ayuda o informacion comunicate con nuestra linea de ayuda: 540- 371- 1666. Toda comunicacion es estrictamente confidencial.

1in6.org,  (non-profit dedicated to male survivors of sexually violent crimes) is encouraging people to gather to watch the show together and discuss its implications.

See the PSA at at men.joyfulheartfoundation.org.

If groups should gather to watch the show and have discussions, 1in6 has a created the viewer guide (which can be accessed at  http://bit.ly/wpS1xD ) with information and questions to help facilitate a productive group discussion about the SVU “Personal Fouls” show.   1in6 encourages people watching the episode to keep in mind that watching this very powerful portrayal of abusive interactions and participating in a discussion about it has the potential of triggering deep feelings for individuals, whether they have had similar abusive childhood experiences or not.

 RCASA strongly encourages anyone sponsoring a group showing or discussion to provide on-site resources for anyone who might have a reaction to the show – ideally counseling resources present in the venue – but at the very least information about how to quickly access local resources and help if difficult feelings arise.  RCASA would be happy to provide support and information about resources available to help sort through any feelings or questions that arise,  Call us at 540-371-6771 to request assistance or call our hotline if in need of immediate phone support:  540-371-1666

Many resources, including the1in6 Online SupportLine, are listed on the 1in6 website under Get Help. Anyone feeling at risk of hurting themselves or being harmed by someone else should call 911 or go to the nearest hospital emergency room. We encourage people to move forward in their exploration of this issue at their own pace.

Related articles

• RCASA Saturday with Case Management: Why would an adult sexual abuse a child? (rcasa.wordpress.com)
• ‘Law & Order: SVU’ Tackles Male-on-Male Sexual Abuse in ‘Personal Fouls’ (aoltv.com)

About the Center

Our History

Leadership

Our Work

The National Center for Victims of Crime is a nonprofit organization that advocates for victims’ rights, trains professionals who work with victims, and serves as a trusted source of information on victims’ issues. After more than 25 years, we remain the most comprehensive national resource committed to advancing victims’ rights and helping victims of crime rebuild their lives.

The National Center is, at its core, an advocacy organization committed to – and working on behalf of – crime victims and their families. Rather than focus the entire organization’s work on one type of crime or victim, the National Center addresses all types of crime.

Our Mission

The mission of the National Center for Victims of Crime is to forge a national commitment to help victims of crime rebuild their lives. We are dedicated to serving individuals, families, and communities harmed by crime.

Through collaboration with local, state, and federal partners, the National Center:

• Advocates for laws and public policies that secure rights, resources, and protections for crime victims.

Provides current information and analysis on crime victims’ needs and services to enhance awareness, outreach, services, and policies for supporting crime victims.

• Serves as a trusted source of current information on victims’ issues and play a leading role in shaping the national discussion on victims’ rights, protections, and services.

http://www.ncvc.org/ncvc/main.aspx?dbID=DB_About189