Quarterly RASA/VOJO Program Reports Due October 20, 2023!

Important Message for all RASA and VOJO Programs - Quarterly Program Reports for the 2023-2024 RASA/VOJO Funding Cycle will cover the time period from July 1, 2023 to September 30, 2023 and should be submitted in E-grants no later than Friday, October 20, 2023.

      IMPORTANT! 

For Quarter 3 of the report period, programs are asked to separate new and continuing victims.     

REMINDERS:

Please select “No” when asked to make the report a Final Program Report.

You do not need to enter anything in the “Briefly List Activities Conducted During This Period” Section on the main page of the report. You may simply enter “Not Applicable” in this section on the main page of the report and save it.

It is very important to submit your program report in E-grants by the due date of October 20, 2023. PCCD applies a risk level to each sub-grantee. One of the factors that impacts an agency’s risk level is delinquent quarterly reports. RASA and VOJO Reports submitted later than October 20, 2023 may adversely impact the agency’s risk level. If you are unable to enter your report data and submit the report by the due date, please contact our office to let us know so we may instruct you on how to proceed in order to avoid your report being delinquent.

If you should have any questions or need assistance completing your quarterly program reports, please contact Maria Katulis at mkatulis@pa.gov or (717) 265-8741, or Heather Cureau at hcureau@pa.gov or (717) 265-8712. 

Quarterly fiscal reports for RASA and VOJO grants will also be due in E-grants by October 20, 2023. If you have any fiscal report questions, please contact the fiscal staff person listed on your grant for assistance.

If you need technical assistance with E-grants, you may contact the E-grants Support Line at (717) 787-5887 or RA-eGrantsSupport@pa.gov.

17th Pathways For Victim Services Conference Registration Now Open!

PCCD’s Office of Victims Services is accepting conference registrations now through October 31, 2023. Check out the 2023 Pathways Conference Agenda to view the schedule and see keynote speakers and workshop presentations!

Visit Pathways for Victim Services Conference Registration to register.

The Pathways for Victim Services Conference provides an opportunity for victim service providers and allied professionals to join for national keynote speakers, informative workshops, networking opportunities and the presentation of the Governor’s Victim Service Pathfinder Awards. The cost of this three-day conference is $75 which includes workshops, attendance to the Pathfinder Award Ceremony & Luncheon, and light refreshments. 

Attendees will have 36 workshops to choose from in a variety of victim service centered topics. Seating is limited so be sure to register soon.

Check out our scheduled Keynote Speakers!

REWIND ~ Documentary Film Screening Followed By Keynote Address by the Creator

Presented by: Sasha Joseph Neulinger

In his candid personal memoir, Sasha Joseph Neulinger revisits his childhood and the events that tore apart his seemingly-perfect world. For as long as Neulinger can remember, his father was constantly filming—from birthday parties to hockey games, to holidays. But his camera, trained on the frequent gatherings of a tight-knit family, was also documenting a hidden secret, the revelation of which would lead to a media firestorm, a high-stakes court battle, and a generational reckoning. Drawing upon an incredibly revealing home video archive, Neulinger revisits these events 20 years later to piece together an unflinching story of the cycles and consequences of abuse, to examine what it means to heal, and to use those experiences to effect positive change in the world. REWIND probes the gap between image and reality and proves just how little, and how much, a camera can capture.

From Victim to Survivor

Presented by: Taylor Dumpson

“From Victim to Survivor” is a keynote address based on Taylor’s experience as a racially- and gender-motivated hate crime survivor and cyber-harassment target after becoming the first Black woman elected student government president at American University in 2017.

After this presentation, the audience will leave with an understanding that being culturally competent and trauma-informed are essential components to providing support to victims of crimes, especially identity-based threats and violence. The audience will also develop an understanding for the unique way cyber-harassment impacts a person’s ability to access places of public accommodations and services. The audience will also come away with an understanding about how racism continues to impact our society in the 21st Century, and the different ways racism is gendered in order to specifically target women of color.

The Great Irony: Connecting Burnout and Workplace Bullying in the Anti-violence Movements 

Presented by: Trace Fleming-Trice, LICSW-S

The great irony of the anti-violence field is that advocates are being harmed in our organizations daily. Trace Fleming-Trice believes we can do better and will discuss how advocates can recognize and alleviate this irony in the anti-violence field. If even one advocate is being harmed, the Anti-Violence Movements must move. This keynote will discuss how workplace bullying is connected to burnout, what advocates experiences are telling us, and how all of us can be directly involved in ensuring that advocates are supported in our organizations. Before becoming the founder and Executive Director of Self-Care For Advocates, a national nonprofit that advocates for anti-violence advocates Trace worked in the gender-based violence victim/survivor advocacy movement for close to 20 years. Trace is a disarming presenter, who often uses humor to help tackle difficult conversations. 

For additional questions, please contact the Pathways Conference Team at RA-CD-Pathfinder@pa.gov.

For accommodation and booking information please use this link: Pathways Conference Booking at the Penn Stater

We look forward to seeing you there!

How Can Domestic Violence Programs Honor Historically Black-led Models Of Mobile Advocacy To Meet Survivors Where They Are?

Culturally specific organizations have, for many years, turned to a trauma-informed, survivor-led form of advocacy that asks advocates to work in partnership with survivors to define for themselves how and where advocacy should occur.

Please click here to read.

The Footprint: Tracking The Size Of America's Criminal Justice System

Footprint is designed to serve as a one-stop shop that puts current criminal justice levels in context for practitioners, policymakers, researchers, journalists, and others.

Please click here to read.

Report On Indicators Of School Crime And Safety: 2022

A new publication, Report on Indicators Of School Crime and Safety: 2022, provides official estimates on school crime and safety. It examines data on violent deaths and school shootings, nonfatal criminal victimization, bullying victimization, and teacher victimization. The report also presents statistics on discipline problems, gangs, hate-related speech, possession of weapons, and use and availability of illegal drugs, as well as data that reflect student perceptions about their personal safety at school.

Please click here to read.

Sexual Assault Survivors Can Now Track Their Rape Kits In Most States

Responding to demands from survivors and their advocates, more states have committed to tackling yearslong investigative backlogs — and dozens are adopting tracking systems that allow patients to follow the forensic paths of their own sexual assault kits.

Please click here to read.

Criminal Victimization, 2022

A new Bureau of Justice Report, Criminal Victimization, 2022, provides statistics on nonfatal violent crimes (rape or sexual assault, robbery, aggravated assault, and simple assault) and property crimes (burglary or trespassing, motor vehicle theft, and other types of household theft). It also describes the characteristics of crimes and victims.

Please click here to read.

Take A Stand Toolkit

For 2023 National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the National Coalition to End Domestic Violence offers its Take a Stand Toolkit.

Please click here to access.

National Day Of Remembrance For Murder Victims Is September 25

Join OVC on September 25 as we honor the memories of murder victims and recognize the impact on surviving family members.

Please click here to read more.

Preparing To Host Accessible Domestic Violence Awareness Month Events

Tuesday September 26, 2023 2:00 pm

Ensuring that your Domestic Violence Awareness Month events are inclusive of people with disabilities and Deaf people is a key opportunity to reach potential survivors. This webinar will explore strategies for ensuring your in-person and online events are as accessible and welcoming as possible.

Please click here to register.

Collaborative Responses To Domestic Violence In Rural Communities

The Institute for Coordinated Community Response is holding a conference on October 2 & 3 entitled Collaborative Responses to Domestic Violence in Rural Communities. Coordinated Community Responses (CCRs) have been recognized as a best practice in reducing domestic violence since the Violence Against Women Act was enacted over 20 years ago. CCRs can be particularly effective in rural communities, where close-knit relationships and highly engaged community members provide an ideal jumping off point for collaborative efforts. However, with limited resources that must stretch further than their urban counterparts’, it can often be a struggle to implement and sustain this approach.  Recognizing this, ICCR and the Conference on Crimes Against Women are coming together to provide critical training and resources for implementing collaborative, systemic responses to domestic violence in rural communities nationwide.

Please click here to register.

Disability Inclusion and Intersectionality Webinar

Tuesday, October 3rd, 2023

2:00 - 3:30 PM ET

This session addresses the relationship between race and disability and establishes a common language around intersectionality. You will walk away with insights into cultivating programs, practices, and an organizational culture that is grounded in racial justice, disability justice, and inclusion.

Please click here to register.

The Challenges of Drug and Alcohol Facilitated Sexual Assaults

October 4, 2023 10:00 am – 1:30 pm

Last day to register: September 20, 2023

This three-hour program will discuss the crime of alcohol and drug-facilitated sexual assault (AFSA/FSA) and its impact on victims, law enforcement, and society. The challenges of this crime include the many different drugs that are used, the reporting of the crime, proper evidence collection, and the analyses of specimens collected from alleged victims. Strong, central nervous system depressants are typically used to commit DFSA and focus will be on their effects on and how these drugs create difficulties in the investigation.

Contact Person for event: Barbara Sheaffer at Bsheaffer@pcar-respecttogether.org

Please click here to register.

National Convening on Witness Intimidation

• Oct 5, 2023 12:30 PM
• Oct 6, 2023 12:30 PM

Violent criminals escape justice by intimidating the witnesses to their crimes. Intimidation ranges from crude actions and behaviors, such as spontaneous verbal threats, to complex, orchestrated, multi-person efforts to prevent witnesses from participating in the criminal justice process. When intimidation is successful, criminal behavior escapes the purview of law enforcement, and offenders are emboldened to perpetrate further crimes unchecked by the justice system. Prosecutors, law enforcement, and advocates must do more to keep victims safe, hold offenders accountable, and build trust with the communities they serve.

Please click here to register.

Empowering Victim Advocates : Training On Statute Of Limitations And Civil Justice For Sexual Abuse Victims

Virtual via Zoom Meeting

October 5, 2023 | 10 AM – 11 AM

PCCD Training Hour Approval: 1

Registration fee: $0

Presenters:

Jennifer Storm, Coordinator of Advocacy and Community Outreach

Benjamin Andreozzi, Managing Partner at Andreozzi + Foote

Your dedication to improving the lives of survivors of sexual abuse aligns perfectly with the objectives of this training including, but not limited to, an introduction of Statute of Limitations, supporting survivors through the legal process, and information on civil justice for survivors. By deepening your understanding of these legal aspects, you will be better equipped to guide survivors through the complexities they may face. Moreover, our interactive approach will facilitate meaningful discussions and practical takeaways that can be immediately applied in your advocacy efforts.

Registration opens September 5, 2023 under the PDAI Training Calendar at www.pdaa.org. 

Countdown To DVAM: Join The Movement This October

DVAM Memorial Virgil

October 17, 2023 at 6 p.m.

Join us from 6-8 p.m. at the state capitol in Harrisburg, PA as we remember the lives lost to domestic violence over the past year, honor the resiliency and hope of survivors, and recognize the hard work of domestic violence advocates across the state. Speaker announcements and more information coming soon!

RSVP and Share the Event

Purple Thursday

October 19, 2023

Wear purple to show your support of domestic violence survivors and your commitment to ending abuse! Take a selfie in your purple and share why you wear purple or who you wear it for with #PurpleThursday #Every1KnowsSome1 #DVAM. Add DVAM stickers to your stories by searching for PCADV or Every1KnowsSome1.

Get Printables & Digital Frames

GiveForDV Day of Giving

October 26, 2023



There are many ways to give this GiveForDV! Make a monetary gift or make a gift of your time by volunteering at your local program. Multiply your impact with your own fundraiser and encourage friends and family to support survivors all month! Visit our GiveForDv page and click on the purple "Fundraise" button - it only takes a few minutes! Every gift makes a difference for survivors as they rebuild their lives free from abuse.



Start your fundraiser today

Social Media Campaign

October 1 - November 26, 2023

Domestic violence thrives in silence. Talking about it helps remove stigma, support survivors, and raise awareness. We need You to engage with us on social media using the hashtag #Every1KnowsSome1 as we share stories, resources, and messages of hope, spreading the word and creating a united front against domestic violence.

Identification & Response To Commerical Sexual Exploitation Of Children (CSEC) For Court Personnel

On October 27, 2023 from 12 – 1:30 PM, AOPC in collaboration with The Children’s Advocacy Centers of Pennsylvania will present Identification & Response to Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) for Court Personnel. The training will provide information on how to identify human trafficking victims within the court system, collaborate with allied professionals to overcome barriers and provide meaningful access to justice for systems-involved victims.



 Please click here to register.

Human Trafficking Response Academy

NOVA's HTRA is an introductory to intermediate-level course for victim advocates and allied professionals working with survivors of human trafficking.

The HTRA will take place Monday, January 22nd - Thursday, January 25th, 2024 and will be 3 full days and 1 half day of training. Access to Zoom is required for enrollment and participation in the course.

Please click here to register.

Victims Compensation Assistance Program Online Trainings

The following trainings will be held on September 26, 2023. 

• ·Loss of Earnings Clinic - 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
• Counseling Expenses Clinic – 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

The following trainings will be held on October 2, 2023. 

• Loss of Support Clinic - 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
• Medical Expenses Clinic – 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

The following trainings will be held on October 10, 2023. 

• Basic Compensation - 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

The following trainings will be held on October 18, 2023. 

• Funeral & Burial Expenses Clinic - 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
• Transportation Expenses Clinic – 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

The following trainings will be held on October 25, 2023. 

• Crime Scene Cleanup Expenses Clinic - 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
• Myths of Compensation Clinic – 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

All trainings count towards 1 hour of the required RASA/VOCA/VOJO training hours, except Basic Compensation which counts towards 2 and DAVE training which counts towards 2.25.

Please click here to register.

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