DC Office of Victim Services and Justice Grants

Earlier today at Serve DC 6th All Corps Convening, Director Porter & other alumni discussed the impact of their AmeriCorps experience on the trajectory of their careers. She engaged with current AmeriCorps members & provided advice for leveraging their careers after Americorps.

On May 25, OVSJG's collaborative of Hospital-based Violence Intervention Programs (HVIPs), known as Project CHANGE, received the prestigious Justice Stewart Potter Award from the Council for Court Excellence.

Learn more about DC's HVIPs here: https://youtu.be/pzQugNyXdmQ

The Award recognizes individuals and organizations whose work on behalf of the administration of justice has made a significant contribution to the law, the legal system, the courts, or the administrative process in our nation's capital.

Learn more here: http://www.courtexcellence.org/justice-potter-stewart-award

The Council for Court Excellence developed a Project CHANGE tribute video that was screened at the award dinner and can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/hjddtedV80

If you or someone you know are experiencing domestic or intimate partner violence, please consider contacting the DC Victim Hotline by phone or text at 1-844-4HELPDC(844-443-5732) or chat at https://DCvictim.org for info and support services. Mayor Bowser Deputy Mayor of Public Safety and Justice

In recognition of the Mayor Bowser's proclamation of April as Second Chance Month, Director Porter on Wednesday attended Department of Employment Services' Resource Fair & Entrepreneur Showcase featuring businesses and ventures started by returning citizens. The Office on Returning Citizen Affairs - ORCA Deputy Mayor of Public Safety and Justice

Today is Denim Day! By wearing denim, we show our support for sexual assault survivors and an end to victim blaming. In honor of the day, Director Porter & OVSJG staff joined Washington Metropolitan Police Dept. Victim Services Branch and Georgetown University Sexual Assault Peer Educators - SAPE at a Denim Day event.

Director Porter also gathered with Chief Contee & Deputy Mayor Appiah to highlight and support Mayor Bowser’s proclamation of April 26 as Denim Day in the District. Deputy Mayor of Public Safety and Justice

National Crime Victims' Rights Week is April 23-29. It's an opportunity to amplify the voices of survivors and create environments where survivors have the confidence that they will be heard, believed, and supported. Learn more about at http://ow.ly/n09g50NQVGg

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, a time to honor the voices and experiences of victims and survivors.

Learn more about SAAM at http://ow.ly/LXPz50Nxs0m

Resources are available 24/7 for survivors at https://dcvictim.org/

National Center for Victims of Crime. – Referrals for victims of ALL CRIME in the District of Columbia The DC Victim Hotline (DCVH) is a 24-Hour phone, chat, and text-based resource and crisis line for all crime victims in the District of Columbia. Visitors to the hotline receive strength-based and trauma-informed services and referrals in over 200 languages. The Victim Assistance Specialists who ope...

April is Second Chance Month, a time to recognize the importance of helping individuals, communities, and agencies across the country appreciate their role in supporting the safe and successful reentry of millions of people returning from incarceration each year. http://ow.ly/VPc750Nxt3V

Women, young adults, individuals with disabilities, multiracial individuals, and people of color generally experience stalking at higher rates. Individuals with more than one of these identities may be even more likely to experience stalking. As with many types of interpersonal violence, abusers often target stalking victims because of characteristics that make them less likely to report the violence and less likely to be believed or taken seriously if they do report it.

Most victims of stalking don’t use the words “fear” or “stalking” – do you know what to listen for?

ASK ABOUT CO-OCCURING VICTIMIZATIONS! Stalking requires its own safety planning and responses. Additionally, victims of stalking are often at increased risk for other forms of violence. NAME IT. Watch a quick video or two to learn more: http://ow.ly/TkA550Mk4R9
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtmEYUpnVfk

In popular culture, stalkers are often portrayed as shadowy strangers or mysterious secret admirers. In reality, the vast majority of offenders know their victims and are primarily intimate partners or acquaintances.