Points of view or opinions are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official positions or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Providing Services to Victims of Impaired Driving and DUI Crashes
Date: December 20, 2023Length: 1.25 hours
Summary:
Drunk, drugged, or distracted drivers are more likely to cause traffic crashes and cause harm or death. Drugged driving is increasing due to the opioid crisis, the prevalence of prescription drugs, and the laws legalizing recreational marijuana use. Distracted driving—engaging in other activities while driving—is increasingly common. How can victim service providers best provide services to survivors, families, and friends following an impaired driving incident?
Using the Expressive Arts To Provide Interpersonal Violence Services
Date: October 30, 2023Length: 1.25 hours
Summary:
The expressive arts, either writing, painting, singing, movement, or making music, can offer powerful strategies to provide services to victims. The arts can be used to explore feelings, foster self-awareness, reduce anxiety, and increase self-esteem. This session provides an overview of the healing power of the arts and how to incorporate the arts into your work with victims and survivors, even if you are not an artist.
The Role of Victim Assistance Providers in Victim Impact Programs
Date: June 21, 2023Length: 1.25 hours
Summary:
Victim impact programs are designed to foster empathy from offenders about how their actions harmed others. Correctional and probation employees often facilitate the programs to help guide offenders through various crime types and learn the potential impact each offense may have on victims. By understanding the impact of crime on victims, victims’ families, and communities, offenders can develop strategies to avoid repeating their criminal behaviors. In this session, participants learn about victim impact programs and how best to implement them in young offender and adult institutions.
Clergy Response to Domestic Violence Survivors: How To Engage and Train Faith Leaders
Date: May 31, 2023Length: 1.25 hours
Summary:
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, intimate partner violence (IPV) is a serious public health problem that can have a profound impact on lifelong health, opportunity, and well-being. Immigrant women report higher rates of domestic violence and less access to services. Language barriers and cultural taboos can make it more difficult for those seeking help to find it; therefore, many immigrant survivors turn to faith leaders for help. This session provides an overview of the current state of faith leaders’ practices regarding domestic violence and discuss faith leaders’ role in the primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention of IPV. In addition, participants will learn how to engage and collaborate with faith leaders for domestic violence prevention and intervention.
Understanding the Connections Between Workplace Bullying and Burnout Among Victim Advocates
Date: March 22, 2023Length: 1.25 hours
Summary:
Victims of workplace bullying may suffer physical, emotional, and psychological effects. They can exhibit burnout, absenteeism, low morale, less job satisfaction, loss of income, and fewer total hours worked (Scott, 2018). In this session, participants learn about the connections between workplace bullying and burnout among victim advocates and how to promote self-care and prevent work-related stress, trauma, and exhaustion conditions.
