Victim Compensation Connection Newsletter, May 2009
In This Issue
From the Desk of Julie Nauman, Executive Officer
National Crime Victims' Rights Week 2009
VCGCB Receives Awards from State Information Officer's Council
National Missing Childrens' Day - May 25, 2009
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
Recognizing Victims and Our County Partners
From the Desk of Julie Nauman, Executive Officer
April and May have certainly seen a flurry of activity at the Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board and have delivered some outstanding efforts thanks to the dedication of our staff.
The Board observed National Crime Victims’ Rights Week April 26th through May 2nd and to commemorate, several events were held statewide to recognize victims and service providers. Governor Schwarzenegger issued a Proclamation in honor of this annual recognition and praised the work of those who assist victims statewide.
Here in Sacramento, our dedicated staff marched to the State Capitol Building and attended a rally where legislators and other advocates spoke about victim issues. Staff hosted an information table and talked with numerous victims about our program and services.
I was proud to have participated in a symposium on victims’ rights hosted by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office on April 29th that was one of many throughout the State. I appreciated listening to leaders in the victim services community and learning from them. Executive staff also had the opportunity to attend a variety of events during Victims' Rights Week and show the VCGCB’s support for the needs of victims.
Along with all the recognition of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, the VCGCB also hosted a statewide meeting for all County Victim Witness Assistance Directors where attendees engaged in thoughtful discussions on the Restitution Fund, Joint Powers contracts, strategic planning, legislation and outreach efforts as well as a demonstration of the new online application for victims.
These past months have been an incredible testament to our Board’s dedication and commitment to our mission and our program and I couldn’t be more proud. It is shown daily in our work and our actions and felt by those we service.
This commitment is seen in such items as the new fact sheet on the Victim Compensation Program that will soon be translated into nine languages (Chinese, Tagalog, Vietnamese, Korean, Armenian, Farsi, Russian, Hmong and Hindi) and made available for use by all county offices in the near future. We also see it in our work that was recently recognized by the State Information Officers Council. The VCGCB was presented with two awards for excellence in state communications, a Gold Award for our "Helping Victims of Hate Crime" brochure and a Silver Award for the Victim Compensation Connection Newsletter. Congratulations on these outstanding efforts.
And our work is even going green as staff worked diligently to create an electronic only format for the Victim Compensation Connection. This e-newsletter will continue to be published bi-monthly and will help us save money, save trees and benefit our environment.
I continue to look forward to each day here at the Board and to the incredible work produced.
National Crime Victims' Rights Week 2009
This year, National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW) recognized the 25th anniversary of the Victims of Crime Act of 1984. Wednesday, April 29th marked the annual march to the Capitol to support victims and their survivors. The NCVRW theme of “25 Years of Rebuilding Lives” was demonstrated throughout the day with many individuals and families of victims participating in the rally.
The Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board (VCGCB) participated in the event by marching to the Capitol with a beautiful banner that recognized the week and also by hosting a booth at the Capitol with program information for individuals in attendance.
The event was attended by Legislators and public officials who spoke about their experiences with victims. Rod Pacheco, District Attorney for Riverside County, gave a moving keynote speech. The event closed with an original musical piece titled “S.A.V.O.Y.” – which stands for “Stop All Violence On Youth.”
In addition to participating in the event at the Capitol, the VCGCB participated in a variety of events throughout the state to commemorate this year’s NCVRW including a Victims’ Rights Symposium in Los Angeles County, a Ribbon Tying ceremony in Merced County, a march and rally in Orange County, a Healing Mass in San Bernardino County, a Citizens of Courage Awards luncheon in San Diego County, an awards luncheon in Sonoma County, and a Victim Recognition Ceremony in Yolo County.
VCGCB staff after their March to the State Capitol on April 29th in observance of Victims' Rights.
Lindsey Fields, Rachel Olson and Kevin Spiker assisting at the Victim Compensation Program table at the State Capitol on April 29th.
Denim Day 2009
VCGCB Executive Officer Julie Nauman signs the pledge to end sexual violence during the Denim Day California event at the State Capitol on April 22.
As part of April’s Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) events, the California Coalition Against Sexual Assault encouraged Californians to participate in Denim Day, held on Wednesday, April 22.
Many VCGCB staff members joined others throughout the state and supported Denim Day by wearing denim to work. Executive Officer Julie Nauman also joined other organizations and supporters on the West Steps of the State Capitol to sign the pledge to end sexual violence. Over 40 legislators and policy makers turned out for the event and pledged their support for ending sexual violence.
The Los Angeles Commission on Assaults Against Women, now known as Peace Over Violence, started California’s Denim Day in 1999, as part of an international protest of an Italian High Court’s decision to overturn a rape conviction because the victim was wearing jeans. It has become an annual event in California, inspiring states throughout the U.S. to develop their own Denim Day and support SAAM to increase national awareness about sexual violence and the myths surrounding it.
If you or someone you know is a victim of sexual assault, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) to find a rape crisis center near you. It is free and confidential 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. For more information on sexual assault or Denim Day, visit the California Coalition Against Sexual Assault website.
New Online Application
In early June, the Victim Compensation Program plans to introduce a new online application process. Crime victims, advocates, and providers will be able to track the progress of applications online. The system will initially be tested in four counties: Los Angeles, San Bernardino, El Dorado and Solano. The testing phase is scheduled to last three weeks and the application will tentatively be launched statewide on July 1st.
The new system will have significant advantages over the current application process.Unlike the paper application, the online application requires critical information to be entered before the form can be sent, including the type of crime committed and the claimant’s date of birth. Only complete applications can be submitted to the new system.
Once the application has entered the system, claimants and advocates will be able to log in and view detailed information on the status of the claim. Providers will be allowed to view the status of their bills. This feature will offer customers an easy alternative to calling program staff to track an application’s progress.
The online application will replace the Livescan forms currently available on the Board’s website. The handwritten version of the compensation application will still be available to download and print.
VCGCB Receives Awards from State Information Officer's Council
National Missing Childrens' Day - May 25, 2009
Etan Patz, whose disappearance raised awareness to the prevalence and impact of missing children.
First proclaimed by President Ronald Reagan in 1983, National Missing Children’s Day has been honored by every administration for the past 26 years. President Reagan’s intention was to make child protection a national concern and unite all 50 states in making a coordinated effort to help families searching for loved ones.
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the disappearance of 6-year-old Etan Patz, whose story captivated the nation and raised awareness about the seriousness of child victimization. Etan disappeared from a New York street corner on his way to school on May 25, 1979.
National Missing Children’s Day is held every year on this day to honor his memory and the impact his case had in bringing this issue to the attention of the entire country. His image is a symbol for families searching for their children. His case helped to start a missing children’s movement and inspired the Missing Children’s Act of 1982, which was the first federal law to address the issue and sparked new methods for helping to find missing children.
More than 2,000 children are reported missing everyday and National Missing Children’s Day reminds parents, guardians, and other trusted-adult role models to make child safety a priority in their lives and to encourage the general public to pay attention to the posters and photographs of missing children. To find out more about National Missing Children’s Day and get tips on how to keep the children in your life safe, visit the website for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at www.missingkids.com.
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
To bring attention to victims of elder abuse, the fourth Annual World Elder Abuse Awareness Day will be held on June 15, 2009. Designed to increase awareness about elder abuse, many events will take place worldwide. Individuals can show their support by wearing something purple on this day.
The growing prevalence of abuse and neglect of older persons is largely under-reported, and goes under-recognized. Victims of elder abuse often live in silent desperation fearing no one will believe their cry for help. They may remain silent for fear of retaliation or to protect abusive family members. Some are too embarrassed to report they have fallen prey to predators while some victims are forced into isolation held as a captive prisoner by their abuser, and prevented from making any contact with the outside world including doctors or other family members. Despite the challenges of reporting elder abuse, an estimated 2.5 million cases are reported every year.
Elder Abuse is preventable if one learns to recognize the warning signs and takes measures to prevent further abuse such as reporting it to a local law enforcement agency or the local county Adult Protective Services Agency. Warning signs are detected by observing the physical condition and behavior of an elder. Take note of their physical appearance. Uncombed or matted hair, poor hygiene, unexplained bruises or burn marks and appearing malnourished may be red flags. Observe any unusual or extreme behavior such as depression, being withdrawn, frightened and secretive. Also take note of their living situation and if they have been isolated.
For more information about World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, please visit, www.inpea.net. For more information about elder abuse, please visit the California Attorney General’s Office SafeState Website.
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Governor
State of California
Fred Aguiar
Board Chair
Secretary, State and
Consumer Services Agency
John Chiang
Board Member
State Controller
Michael Ramos
Board Member
District Attorney
San Bernardino County
Julie Nauman
Executive Officer