Deputy Attorney General James M. Cole will preside over the National
Crime Victims’ Rights Service Awards ceremony 2 p.m. Wed., April 9,
honoring ten individuals and programs for exceptional perseverance and
innovation in advancing crime victims’ rights. The Department’s
Office for Victims of Crime leads communities across the country in
observing National Crime Victims’ Rights Week every year and hosts the
award ceremony to honor outstanding work on behalf of crime victims.
“Through their courage and critical contributions to assist and empower
victims, these individuals and organizations have given hope to
countless Americans victimized by crime--even under the most difficult
circumstances,” said Attorney General Eric Holder. “I am proud to
recognize these extraordinary advocates by celebrating their
achievements and
assure them that the Department of Justice is more determined than ever to help ensure their continued success.”
“We are humbled and proud to recognize these extraordinary individuals,
teams, and organizations for their outstanding service” said Deputy
Attorney General Cole. “These compassionate honorees have become beacons
of hope for so many others who have endured shock and deep sadness in
the face of too many incidents involving violence and loss.”
President Reagan proclaimed the first Victims’ Rights Week in 1981,
calling for renewed emphasis and sensitivity to the rights of victims.
National Crime Victims’ Rights Week is observed this year from April
6–12, and the theme is “30 Years: Restoring the Balance of Justice.”
The following is a list of the award recipients nominated by their colleagues and selected by the Attorney General:
Allied Professional Award: Recognizing an individual
or organization outside the victim assistance field for services or
contributions to the victims’ field. Recipient: Forensic Nurse Examiner Team, Christiana Care Health System, Newark, Del.
Crime Victims Financial Restoration Award: Recognizing
individuals, programs, organizations or teams that developed innovative
ways of funding services for crime victims or instituted innovative
approaches for securing financial restoration for crime victims. Recipient: Mi
Yung C. Park, trial attorney, Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section,
Criminal Division, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, D.C.
Federal Service Award:
Recognizing 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.
Recipients
: FBI Victim Assistance Program and U.S. Attorney’s Office for the
District of Massachusetts; and the U.S. Air Force Special Victims’
Counsel Program.
National Crime Victim Service Award: Honoring extraordinary efforts in direct service to crime victims. Recipients: DC Safe, Washington, D.C.; and Hazel Heckers, victim advocate, Denver, Colo.
Crime Victims’ Rights Award: Honoring those whose
efforts to advance or enforce crime victims’ rights have benefited crime
victims at the state, tribal, or national level. Recipient: Jamie Balson, prosecutor, Maricopa County District Attorney’s Office, Peoria, Ariz.
Ronald Wilson Reagan Public Policy Award: Honoring leadership, innovation and vision that lead to noteworthy changes in public policy that benefit crime victims. Recipient: Pat Tuthill, advocate, Tallahassee, Fla.
Professional Innovation in Victim Service Award:
Recognizing a program, organization or individual who has helped to expand the reach of victims’ rights and services.
Recipient
: The Rapid DNA Service Team, Richmond, Calif.
Special Courage Award: Recognizing extraordinary bravery in the aftermath of a crime or courageous act on behalf of a victim or potential victim. Recipient: Paul Traub, Burnsville, Minn.
Descriptive narratives and videos of the contributions of recipients are available at the
Office for Victims of Crime’s Gallery .
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