In the summer of 2010, NCVLI was awarded a grant from the Department of Justice’s Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) to undertake one of four projects under the “Vision 21: Transforming Victim Services” initiative.  “Vision 21” is designed to develop a philosophical and strategic framework for defining the role of the field in the country’s response to crime and moving the field forward in the future. 

Jani Tillery from the Maryland Crime Victims' Resource Center, Inc. will be appearing with her client Susan Levy, mother of murder victim Chandra Levy, on CBS's The Early Show on Monday morning.  Ms. Tillery represented Mrs. Levy during the trial of her daughter's murderer.  The murderer was sentenced on February 4, 2011, after Mrs. Levy gave an impact statement.  Ms. Tillery represented Mrs. Levy throughout the trial in order to ensure that her rights as a victim were afforded.

NAVRA member Sylvia Golden joined NCVLI in December 2010 as a pro bono attorney.  She was drawn to NCVLI because of the Institute’s policy work in the criminal justice and immigration areas.  An immigrant to the United States, she is particularly moved by the plight of powerless immigrant workers and immigrant women and hopes to have an opportunity to contribute to the Institute’s efforts to expose instances of immigrant trafficking and alleviate the hardship of its victims.  Working for NCVLI, Ms.

Gina Atwood recently joined the team at NCVLI/NAVRA to provide pro bono assistance to victims of sex trafficking who are seeking restitution.  Gina grew up in Roseburg, Oregon, but has lived in the South Pacific, the Middle East, Central America, and Asia. While living abroad, Gina learned that in many countries, human rights are often violated through human and sex trafficking.  More recently, Gina learned that domestic trafficking issues have increased significantly and that the Pacific NW is a “hub” for trafficking.