Justice Department Honors D.C. Public Policy Advocate With Crime Victims’ Rights Award

          WASHINGTON – The Justice Department today presented Susan Howley, Director of the Center for Victim Research, the Crime Victims’ Rights Award during the annual National Crime Victims’ Service Awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. This award honors the dedicated champions throughout our nation whose efforts to advance or enforce crime victims’ rights have benefited victims of crime at the local, state, tribal or national level.

            “For nearly three decades, Ms. Howley has guided public policies and legislative actions, worked with legislators and ensured that vital training and resources are available and accessible to those who work directly with victims,” said Attorney General William P. Barr. “Due to her tireless efforts and her commitment to applying the latest research, victim services across our nation are stronger than ever.”

            After 26 years as a legislative and policy expert with the National Center for Victims of Crime, Howley now directs the Center for Victim Research, where she advocates for the integration of victim research and practice to strengthen victims’ rights nationwide. In 2016, Ms. Howley co-developed the National Victim Assistance Academy resource center, which has expanded training for State Victim Assistance Academy leaders. Recognized as a national authority on victims’ rights legislation, she spearheaded development of VictimLaw.org, a publicly available online database of crime victims’ rights laws. Ms. Howley also created a toolkit for victim restitution collection, after analyzing successful restitution collection efforts around the country.

            “Victims of crime have had their entire lives turned upside down, and they deserve to be treated with compassion and with assistance that has been proven to be effective,” said Office of Justice Programs Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Matt M. Dummermuth. “Ms. Howley has dedicated her entire career to ensuring that victims receive the help they need, serving them with passion, integrity and an abiding concern for their rights.”

          The Department’s Office for Victims of Crime, a component of OJP, leads communities across the country in observing National Crime Victims’ Rights Week and hosts an annual award ceremony. President Reagan proclaimed the first Victims’ Rights Week in 1981, calling for greater sensitivity to the rights and needs of victims. This year’s observance takes place April 7-13, with the theme “Honoring Our Past. Creating Hope for the Future.”