National Crime Victims’ Rights Week Virtual Commemoration (Vermont)

National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW) will be observed April 24–30, 2022. NCVRW is an opportunity to celebrate and acknowledge the hard and dedicated work of victim advocates, as well as to promote victims’ rights and services.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont in partnership with the Center for Crime Victim Services will host a virtual commemoration of NCVRW on April 29, 2022. The theme for NCVRW this year are rights, access, and equity for all victims. These priorities underscore the importance of helping crime survivors by—

• enforcing victims’ rights,
• expanding access to services, and
• ensuring equity and inclusion for all.

The speakers at this year’s event will focus on the importance of inclusion and equity in all aspects of victim services. The agenda for the event is as follows:

• Welcome: Jennifer Poehlmann, Executive Director, Vermont Center for Crime Victim Services
• Opening Remarks: Nikolas P. Kerest, United States Attorney, District of Vermont
• Introduction of Keynote Speaker: Major Ingrid Jonas (retired) of Vermont State Police 
• Keynote Address: Dr. Etan L.J. Nasreddin-Longo, Co-Director, Fair and Impartial Policing and Community Affairs, Vermont State Police, and Equity Advisor, Department of Public Safety, will present “The Perils of Cultural Competency.”
• Raffle: The victim advocates who participate in the day’s events will be eligible for entrance in a raffle full of incredible prizes as a gesture of appreciation for their invaluable work. 
• Crime Victim Service Award Ceremony: Victim service professionals will be celebrated for their achievements.