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Partner Message Board

The resources presented on the Partner Message Board are shared for information purposes only and inclusion should not be considered an endorsement by OVC.

Videos of All-Day Workshop on Senior Identity Theft

Videos of the May 7 webcast on senior identity theft are available online.The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) brought together experts from government, private industry, and public interest groups to discuss the unique challenges facing victims of senior identity theft. The all-day forum included panels on different types of senior identity theft—

tax and government benefits,
medical, and
long-term care.

The final workshop explored the best consumer education and outreach techniques for reaching seniors. Download the FTC May 7 Forum agenda (PDF 80 kb) for details on each of these 4 workshops. (Posted May 13, 2013)

The New Edition of the National Protocol for Sexual Assault Medical Forensic Examinations

The Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) has released the second edition of the National Protocol for Sexual Assault Medical Forensic Examinations (SAFE Protocol), which has been updated to reflect the latest in technology and practices for forensic medical examinations. It is based on the latest scientific evidence and provides recommendations to standardize the quality of care for sexual assault victims throughout the country.

The 2013 edition of the SAFE Protocol (PDF 1.6 mb) includes increased—

Emphasis on victim-centered care.
Changes from the Violence Against Women Act of 2005.
Information on special populations, such as victims with limited English proficiency; victims with disabilities; American Indian and Alaska Native victims; victims in the military; and lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender victims.
Information on topics such as drug and alcohol facilitated sexual assault, pregnancy, confidentiality and alternative reporting procedures.

A document summary of the 2013 SAFE Protocol (165 kb) detailing the major updates is also available for download from OVW. (Posted April 30, 2013)

BJS Study Reports on Sexual Violence Against Females: 1994-2010

The Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) has released Female Victims of Sexual Violence, 1994-2010 (NCJ 240655), examines demographic characteristics of female victims of sexual violence and characteristics of the offender and incident, including victim-offender relationship, whether the offender had a weapon, and the location of the victimization. (Posted April 30, 2013)

Hate Crime Victimization Rates in the U.S.—BJS Special Report

Data from the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) reveals changes over time in hate crime victimizations, including the type of bias that motivated the hate crime, the type of crime, and whether the incident was reported to police. Findings include—

U.S. residents experienced about 259,700 hate crimes annually from 2007 to 2011.
The percentage of hate crimes motivated by religious bias more than doubled between 2003-06 and 2007-11 (from 10% to 21%), while the percentage motivated by racial bias dropped slightly (from 63% to 54%).
Between 2003-06 and 2007-11, the percentage of hate crime victimizations reported to police declined from 46% to 35%.

For more findings from this March 2013 Special Report, visit the web page on Hate Crime Victimization, 2003-2011. Also available for download in PDF (1.3 mb).

BJS offers additional information data collections and special reports on crime victimization statistics. Visit the victims section on the BJS Website for more details. (Posted April 11, 2013)

Resources Available from Child Identity Theft Forum

On February 4, 2013, the Identity Theft Assistance Center (ITAC) hosted a forum to discuss the unique challenges surrounding child identity theft. Participants learned about the latest research, laws, consumer tools, pilot projects, and consumer education efforts on child identity theft. If you were unable to attend the forum, you now have the opportunity to view the Webinar recording, as well as materials and information from other Forum participants, such as—

Fast Facts: Child Identity Theft, Financial Services Roundtable.
2012 Child Identity Fraud Report Highlights, Javelin Strategy & Research.
Child Identity Theft Web page, TransUnion.
Safeguarding Your Child's Future, Federal Trade Commission.

Visit the ITAC Web site to view the webinar and read the materials. Check back regularly for new materials, including a whitepaper on the proceedings of the ITAC Forum on Child Identity Theft. (Posted March 1, 2013)

Register for the Annual Crime Victim Law Conference

The National Crime Victim Law Institute (NCVLI) will host the 12th Annual Crime Victim Law Conference, June 7-8, 2013, in Portland, Oregon. Held at the Lewis & Clark Law School, this conference will focus on victims’ rights enforcement in criminal cases, providing participants the knowledge and practical skills necessary to provide effective legal services to crime victims. The conference is designed primarily for—

Attorneys (such as a victims’ rights attorney, prosecutor, civil victim attorney, judge, defense attorney)
System-based and community-based advocates
Allied criminal justice professionals
Law students
Crime victims/survivors

Consider attending this event. Scholarship opportunities are available.

NCVLI promotes balance and fairness in the justice system through crime victim centered legal advocacy, education, and resource sharing. With funding from OVC, NCVLI is responding to the emerging issue of polyvictimization–experiencing multiple victimizations of different types throughout a lifetime. Learn more about what NCVLI is doing to improve the justice system for victims. (Posted February 21, 2013)

Partner Message Archive

April 2013

Attend Forum on Senior Identity Theft

On May 7, 2013, the Federal Trade Commission will bring together experts from government, private industry, and public interest groups to discuss the unique challenges facing victims of senior identity theft. The forum will include panels on different types of senior identity theft—tax and government benefits, medical, and long-term care—and will also explore the best consumer education and outreach techniques for reaching seniors.

Senior Identity Theft. A Problem in This Day and Age

Date:	May 7, 2013
Time:	9:00-4:30 pm (ET)
Where:	FTC Conference Center 601 New Jersey Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20001

This forum is free and open to the public and a live webcast will be available on the day of the workshop. Registration is not required, but is recommended. For more details, visit the FTC web site. (Posted April 11, 2013)

January 2013

Participate in Forum on Child Identity Theft

Join the Identity Theft Assistance Center (ITAC) for a forum to discuss the unique challenges surrounding child identity theft. As a follow-up to the 2011 Stolen Futures Forum on Child Identity Theft, co-sponsored by OVC and the Federal Trade Commission, this forum will afford participants the opportunity to learn about the latest research, laws, consumer tools, pilot projects, and consumer education efforts on child identity theft.

When:	Monday, February 4, 2013 8:00am – 3:00pm (ET)
Where:	1001 Pennsylvania Ave., NW Suite 500 South Washington, DC 20004

For a working agenda and a list of presenters, including victim advocates, legal service providers, and business professionals, visit the forum Web page. If you would like to participate, please contact ITAC at identitytheftassistance@gmail.com (Posted January 14, 2013

National Network to End Domestic Violence Seeks Job Applicants

The National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) seeks a highly motivated and high performing Technical Assistance & Training Specialist to work with the Safety Net Technology Project. The Safety Net Project educates victims of domestic and sexual violence and their advocates about strategically using technology to help escape violence and find safety. The position is based in Washington, D.C., and will require regular travel, up to 50% of the time. For more information about this employment opportunity, including responsibilities and required skills, education, and qualifications, as well as application instructions, visit the NNEDV Web site. The position is open until filled. However, applications received before January 18, 2013, will be given priority. (Posted January 3, 2013)

November 2012

Webinar To Explore Victim Services in Faith and Community Settings

In partnership with the Center for Faith Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, OVC will host a Faith & Community Based Approaches to Victim Services Webinar on November 15, 2012, from 12:30-1:30 p.m. eastern. The webinar will focus on best practices and approaches to working with youth, adults, and families who are and have been victims of violent acts and the rebuilding process that takes place after surviving such experiences.

Learn more and register online today for this free event. (Posted November 7, 2012)

RESCHEDULED — Seminar on the Neurobiology of Sexual Assault

Due to inclement weather, the October 29, 2012, seminar has been rescheduled for December 3rd, 2012.

On Monday, December 3, 2012, join NIJ for “Neurobiology of Sexual Assault: Implications for First Responders in Law Enforcement, Prosecution, and Victim Advocacy" with Rebecca Campbell, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology and Program Evaluation at Michigan State University.

Monday, December 3, 2012
10:00 am-11:30 am
Office of Justice Programs, 3rd Floor Ballroom
810 7th Street, NW
Washington, DC

For this Research for the Real World seminar, Dr. Campbell will bring together research on the neurobiology of trauma and the criminal justice response to sexual assault. She will explain the underlying neurobiology of traumatic events, its emotional and physical manifestation, and how these processes can impact the investigation and prosecution of sexual assaults. Real-world, practical implications will be examined for first responders, such as law enforcement, nurses, prosecutors, and advocates.

The seminar is free but you must RSVP to gain access to the OJP building. Please allow 20 minutes to get through security. For more information or to RSVP, please contact Yolanda Curtis at Yolanda.Curtis@usdoj.gov or 202-305-2554.

NIJ’s in-person seminar series is held periodically in Washington, D.C. and features research that is changing our thinking about policies and practices. The seminars are recorded before a live audience and published online. Visit the NIJ Web site for news on upcoming seminars and for recordings of past NIJ seminars. (Posted November 2, 2012)

October 2012

Nominations Due for the National Sheriffs’ Association 2013 Crime Victim Services Award

Originally funded by OVC, the National Sheriffs’ Association’s (NSA) Crime Victim Services Award recognizes a Sheriff’s Office that has demonstrated outstanding achievement in support of victims. Nominations should include a brief overview of the Sheriff’s Office, address multiple questions posted on the Crime Victim Services Award Web page, and list any other achievements the nominee may wish to highlight. The deadline for receipt of nominations by NSA is November 16, 2012. For more information and eligibility requirements, visit NSA’s Crime Victim Services Award Web page or contact Tim Woods at 703-838-5317. The 2013 Crime Victim Services Award will be presented during a plenary session at NSA’s June Conference in Charlotte, NC. (Posted October 31, 2012)

Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) Releases New Criminal Victimization Data

BJS announces the release of Criminal Victimization, 2011, a report which presents 2011 estimates of rates and levels of criminal victimization in the U.S. This bulletin includes violent victimization (rape or sexual assault, robbery, aggravated assault, and simple assault) and property victimization (burglary, motor vehicle theft, and property theft). It describes the annual change from 2010 and analyzes 10-year trends from 2002 through 2011. The bulletin includes estimates of domestic violence, intimate partner violence, and injury and use of weapons in violent victimization. It also describes the characteristics of victims. (Posted October 23, 2012)