National Crime Victims’ Rights Week is a time for communities around the country to raise awareness of crime victims’ rights.  It is also a time for the nation to pause and honor the heroes of the victims’ rights movement - victims and those who advocate on their behalf.  As part of this commemoration, every year the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) of the United States Department of Justice recognizes individuals and organizations for outstanding work devoted to crime victims through the National Crime Victims’ Service Awards. 

NCVLI is proud to announce that OVC honored NCVLI with one of these awards, in the Crime Victims’ Rights Award category.  This award honors efforts to advance or enforce crime victims’ rights at the state, tribal, or national level.  NCVLI accepted this award in a ceremony presided over by Attorney General Eric Holder on Wednesday, April 24^th, 2013 in Washington D.C.  To see the profile and video of NCVLI for the award, click here and search “Crime Victims’ Rights Award” in the award category search box.

A pioneering organization in the victims’ rights movement, NCVLI is at the forefront of efforts to protect, enforce, and advance victims’ rights in jurisdictions across the nation.  Founded in 2000, NCVLI filled a gap in the justice system by creating a national network of trained lawyers to protect victims’ rights through legal advocacy, at no cost to the victim.  Today, NCVLI continues this work to enhance the role and voice of victims in our justice system using a three-pronged approach of litigation, education, and public policy.

As the only national organization focusing on enforcing victims’ rights in criminal courts, NCVLI is ensuring that victims’ rights are not mere words on paper but that these rights empower victims and improve the justice system.

National Crime Victims’ Rights Week was observed this year from April 21 – 27. For more information and for resources, click here.