Sunday, November 03, 2013

Crime Victim Advocacy




The November 9, 2013, episode of American Heroes Radio features a conversation with Crime Victim’s Advocate Karen L. Bune.

Program Date:  November 9, 2013
Program Time: 1500 hours, PACIFIC
Topic: Crime Victim Advocacy

About the Guest
Karen L. Bune currently serves as a Patient Relations Representative at Inova Alexandria Hospital in Alexandria, Virginia.  She serves as the liaison between the Chief Executive Officer and the patients.  She assists patients during their hospitalization and interacts daily with nurses, physicians and other medical staff throughout the hospital.  She addresses patient complaints, conducts investigations, engages in conflict management, receives patient compliments and works cooperatively and collaboratively with the entire staff of the hospital in conducting reviews of complaints to bring them to resolution.  She writes correspondence and review findings for the signature of the Chief Executive Officer.  Ms. Bune serves on five committees of the hospital: She is Co-Chair of the Patient/Family Advisory Committee and a member of the Bio-Ethics, Patient-Flow, Domestic Violence, and the Active Shooter committees.   

Karen L. Bune has had a 34 year career in the criminal justice system—18 years of which have been in victim services.   She has specialized in working with victims of domestic violence.  She worked on a project as a Consultant and Team Leader for the development and implementation of a domestic violence training program for the Internal Revenue Service.   Ms. Bune is passionately devoted in her ongoing efforts to focus on issues concerning domestic/family violence and victimization.

Ms. Bune is also a passionate advocate for law enforcement and police officers.   She has engaged in a major fundraising and public relations effort in 2013 for a critically injured officer who was shot in the head and, as a result, suffers from Traumatic Brain Injury.  Ms. Bune also serves as a consultant on victim issues for the Office for Victims of Crime and the Office of Juvenile Justice Programs for the U. S. Department of Justice. She is a nationally recognized speaker, consultant, and trainer on domestic violence, victim issues and the criminal justice field.

In addition, Ms. Bune is an Adjunct Professor at Marymount University in Arlington, Virginia and George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia where she teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in criminal justice and victimology. She is an occasional lecturer/guest speaker at American University, Washington, D. C.  Ms. Bune is Board Certified in Domestic Violence and Board Certified in Traumatic Stress. She is also a Fellow of The Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress.

Ms. Bune holds a Master of Science degree in the Administration of Justice (M.S.A.J.), with distinction, from American University, Washington, D. C.  Ms. Bune received her Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree (Cum Laude) in American Studies from American University, Washington, D. C.  She is bilingual in Spanish.

She has received numerous awards for her contributions to public service and, specifically, for her work in the arena of victims’ services and victims’ rights.  Ms. Bune is listed in the 2013 editions of Marquis, Who’s Who in the World and Marquis, Who’s Who in America.  She serves as a member of the Visitor’s Board for Marymount University in Arlington, Virginia.  Ms. Bune was also appointed to the Institutional Review Board of the Police Foundation in 2013.

She serves on the Speaker’s Bureau for George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia.  Ms. Bune is a nationally recognized speaker, and she has spoken on a variety of topics including domestic violence, elder abuse, workplace victimization/violence, drinking and driving, leadership and ethics, media issues, The “Queen Bee Syndrome” in the workplace, and numerous other topics. She has presented in Georgia, Delaware, Las Vegas, Nevada, Texas, Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D. C.  Ms. Bune has also appeared on live television and radio, and she has been interviewed by newspapers for stories.  She is a Subject Matter Expert on Domestic Violence.

Ms. Bune was instrumental in making a convincing argument for repeal of the Spousal Privilege Law in Maryland. Based on her initial efforts and effective communications skills, legislation was written and a sponsor was obtained in an effort to repeal the Spousal Privilege Law in Maryland.  Ms. Bune testified in 2006 and 2007 before the Maryland Legislature in Annapolis, Maryland for repeal of the Marital Privilege law. 

Ms. Bune participated in the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) 1999 Summit on Victims of Crime.  The findings of the summit were presented to former President Clinton and the Congress of the U. S.  She also participated in the National Forum on Terrorism in Breckenridge, Colorado in July 2002.  Ms. Bune served as a member of the IACP National Advisory Board on police-based victim response.

Ms. Bune is a freelance writer.  She is currently an Expert Contributor/Writer for Police One.   She is also a writer for nycop.com, APCO, The Maryland Daily Examiner and The Gazette newspapers. She previously has written for lawofficer.com and is a former Victim Specialist Contributor Writer for Officer.com. Ms.  Bune is also a former Citizen Reporter for The Washington Times Newspaper.   Her extensive articles have been published in newspapers and professional publications worldwide.

On several occasions, Ms. Bune testified before the Maryland General Assembly on victim-related bills including sentence reconsideration and repeal of the Spousal Privilege law in domestic violence cases. In addition, she has hosted visiting foreign delegation to the U. S. and provided them knowledge concerning American policies and practices related to crime victims.

Ms. Bune is Past President (2003-2004) of the American Society of Public Administration, Northern Virginia Chapter, and she is a member of numerous other professional organizations.

Ms. Bune has received numerous awards for her professional achievements.  Among them, and most recently, she received the 2011 American University Alumni Recognition Award.  She also received the 2011 citation of Congratulations from the Maryland General Assembly for exemplary public service for domestic violence victims in Prince George’s County, Maryland and for the cause of justice in the state of Maryland.  She received the Chief’s Award (2009) from Prince George’s County Maryland Police Chief Roberto Hylton; it is the highest departmental award and one rarely given to civilians.  She was inducted into the Wakefield High School Hall of Fame (Arlington, Virginia) on June 12, 2009 and recognized for her career achievements in victim services and, specifically, for her impact on domestic violence issues. She was nominated for the 2011 Gladys Spellman Public Service Award and received a Certificate of Recognition Award (2011) from Prince George’s County Executive, Rushern Baker.  Ms. Bune received a 2011 Official Citation from The Maryland General Assembly congratulating her for extraordinary public service on behalf of domestic violence victims in Prince George’s County and the cause of justice throughout Maryland.  Ms. Bune appears in the 2013 editions of Marquis’ “Who’s Who in the World, and Marquis' Who’s Who of American
Women.”

About the Watering Hole
The Watering Hole is police slang for a location cops go off-duty to blow off steam and talk about work and life.  Sometimes funny; sometimes serious; but, always interesting.
           
About the Host
Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster was a sworn member of the Los Angeles Police Department for 24 years.  He retired in 2003 at the rank of Lieutenant.  He holds a bachelor’s from the Union Institute and University in Criminal Justice Management and a Master’s Degree in Public Financial Management from California State University, Fullerton; and, has completed his doctoral course work. Raymond E. Foster has been a part-time lecturer at California State University, Fullerton and Fresno; and is currently a Criminal Justice Department chair, faculty advisor and lecturer with the Union Institute and University.  He has experience teaching upper division courses in law enforcement, public policy, law enforcement technology and leadership.  Raymond is an experienced author who has published numerous articles in a wide range of venues including magazines such as Government Technology, Mobile Government, Airborne Law Enforcement Magazine, and Police One.  He has appeared on the History Channel and radio programs in the United States and Europe as subject matter expert in technological applications in law enforcement.

Listen from the Archive:

Program Contact Information
Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster, LAPD (ret.), MPA
909.599.7530

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