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Highlights
bullet Section 904 Task Force
bullet New Sexual Assault Services Program Announced
bullet 2006 Report to Congress on the STOP Grant Program
bullet Awareness and Attitudes About Domestic Violence
bullet National Protocol on Sexual Assault Forensic Examinations
bullet Safety for Indian Women Demonstration Initiative
bullet Violence Against Women Act of 2005
bullet What Men Can Do to Stop Violence Against Women




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Section 904 Tribal Task Force

Members of the Baseline Study Task Force on Violence Against American Indian and Alaskan Native Women Announced

“As Director of the Office on Violence Against Women, I welcome and congratulate the newly appointed members of the Baseline Study Task Force on Violence Against Women in Indian Country. I look forward to working with each of the members and the National Institute of Justice to implement this important new program of research on violence against American Indian and Alaska Native women.”

Cindy Dyer
Director, OVW

Section 904 Tribal Task Force

Safety of Indian Women


Sexual Assault Awareness Month- April, 2008

A Message from OVW Director, Cindy Dyer

Photo of Cindy Dyer

Please join me during the month of April, recognized as National Sexual Assault Awareness Month, to renew our commitment to ending all forms of sexual violence. Sexual assault is a serious crime and continues to impact thousands of women, men, and children every year. The 2008 national theme, “Prevent Sexual Violence . . . in our workplaces,” focuses on ways for us to reach out to our families, friends, and co-workers who may have been the victim of sexual assault. I encourage you to be a good listener and recognize the impact this crime has on those living and working in your own community.

The Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) is committed to raising awareness and supporting services aimed at helping victims of sexual assault. OVW joins our partners, including the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, to provide much needed help and support for victims of this crime. In addition, as Director, I plan to strengthen OVW’s outreach and enhance services to victims of sexual assault by developing new, innovative ways to better train prosecutors, forensic examiners, and advocates who work with victims of sexual assault.

I encourage you to help us engage in this important dialogue. “Participating in opportunities to speak out about the crime of sexual assault is an important step to stopping this violent crime against women. During April 2008, designated as National Sexual Assault Awareness Month, I encourage everyone to use resources being publicized and to participate in events, discussions and programs to increase public awareness about this crime that affects 1 in 6 American women. Working together we can change attitudes, continue to support victims and hold perpetrators responsible.”

Thank you for doing your part to help us raise awareness!


Resources:

Sexual Assault Awareness Month Poster
National Sexual Violence Resource Center
National Protocol for Sexual Assault Medical Forensic Examinations
National Training Standards for Sexual Assault Medical Forensic Examiners
Sexual Assault Forensic Exam (SAFE) Virtual Practicum
National Institute of Justice- Rape and Sexual Violence Page
Centers for Disease Control- Sexual Violence Prevention Page
Tribal Justice and Safety- U.S. Department of Justice
Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office, U.S. Department of Defense
The Voices and Faces Project
Enditnow.gov- OVW’s Public Awareness Campaign Website on Domestic Violence, Stalking, Sexual Assault and Dating Violence


If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual assault, please call 1-800-656-HOPE to be connected to the local rape crisis center nearest to you, or visit www.rainn.org for assistance and more information.

If you are in immediate danger, dial 911.


Latest News

OVW Seeking Volunteer Interns for Summer 2008

Read the full posting


2006-2007 National Advisory Committee on Violence Against Women

Recommendation Summaries Now Available

View them here


Tribal Consultation Final Report and Letter Now Available

Click here to view the documents.


OVW Director Addresses Ministry of Justice Conference in Poland

OVW Director Cindy Dyer with roundtable discussion host Mary Curtin, Charge D'Affaires for the U.S. Embassy in Warsaw, Poland
OVW Director Cindy Dyer with roundtable discussion host Mary Curtin, Charge D'Affaires for the U.S. Embassy in Warsaw, Poland.

On February 19 through 24, 2008, OVW Director Cindy Dyer travelled to Warsaw and Bytow, Poland. Ms. Dyer accepted an invitation by the Polish Ministry of Justice to speak at a victim assistance and violence against women conference attended by government officials, representatives of the Polish Ministry of Justice, local governments, and non-governmental organizations.

During her visit in Warsaw, Ms. Dyer participated in a roundtable discussion at the Ambassador’s residence with Polish prosecutors, local law enforcement, and victim advocates to discuss the role of the Office on Violence Against Women in the United States, to raise awareness about the needs and rights of victims, and to emphasize collaboration across international borders in violence against women cases.


Teen Dating Violence "Speak Out" Event
February 9, 2008

OVW Director, Cindy Dyer, addresses those attending the 'Speak Out' event in Washington, DC on February 9, 2008
OVW Director, Cindy Dyer, addresses those attending the "Speak Out" event in Washington, DC on February 9, 2008

The Young Women's Drumming Empowerment Project is introduced to perform at the
The Young Women's Drumming Empowerment Project is introduced to perform at the "Speak Out" Event in Washington, DC on February 9, 2008

Cindy Dyer, Director of the Office on Violence Against Women , participated in a teen “speak out” event about preventing and becoming aware of violence in teen dating relationships. Many youth came forward to make personal statements, some prepared as poems and songs, about dating violence. The Teen Speak Out was sponsored by Women Empowered Against Violence (WEAVE), with support from several Washington, DC organizations who offered information and assistance at the event to all the youth in attendance. Radio hosts from WKYS 93.9 FM Angie Ange and Shaquana spent time with the youth and introduced Ms. Dyer to the audience. Director Dyer shared some personal information with the youth and reminded them that violence in any relationship is never acceptable


OVW Director Keynote Speaker at Conference on Crimes Against Women

OVW Director Cindy Dyer (right) with Jan Langbein, Executive Director of Genesis Women's Shelter, and Chief David Kunkle of the Dallas Police Department
OVW Director Cindy Dyer (right) with Jan Langbein, Executive Director of Genesis Women's Shelter, and Chief David Kunkle of the Dallas Police Department at the Conference on Crimes Against Women in Dallas, TX on February 11, 2008.

On February 11, 2008 OVW Director Cindy Dyer was the keynote speaker at the Third Annual Conference on Crimes Against Women in Dallas, Texas. The conference was hosted by Genesis Women's Shelter and the Dallas Police Department. Over 500 people attended the conference including victim advocates, prosecutors, law enforcement, health professionals, and social workers. Director Dyer also participated in a media conference and hosted two workshop sessions at the conference.


New Bureau of Justice Statistics Study
on Violence Against Women

"In our efforts to provide awareness and education about violence against women please note the most recent report issued by the Bureau of Justice Statistics titled DOMESTIC VIOLENCE DEFENDANTS MORE LIKELY TO BE CONVICTED THAN NON-DOMESTIC VIOLENCE DEFENDANTS."

Cindy Dyer
Director
Office on Violence Against Women

Read the Press Release

View the Special Report


New Campus Standards Documents Available

The Campus Standards are offered as means to guide schools in comprehensively and collaboratively responding to issues of violence against women on college campuses.

Read More


Office on Violence Against Women Announces National Information Campaign on www.enditnow.gov


Faith-Based and Community Initiatives

"The indispensable and transforming work of faith-based and other charitable service groups must be encouraged. Government cannot be replaced by charities, but it can and should welcome them as partners. We must heed the growing consensus across America that successful government social programs work in fruitful partnership with community-serving and faith-based organizations." - President George W. Bush

Read More



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