In a statewide effort and as part of a national campaign to improve the quality of service to crime victims, the Rhode Island State Victim Assistance Academy will kick off July 12 at Roger Williams University's conference center in Portsmouth.

This will be the third installment of this annual education program presented in partnership with Family Service of Rhode Island.

Open to professionals who work with victims and survivors of crime, the foundation-level training provides individuals with the skills, knowledge and resources to better serve.

Academy attendees have included staff from the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office as well as detectives, advocates for the homeless and for domestic violence victims, hospital interpreters, elder affairs workers and others within the public and private sectors.

“Working with crime victims is a specialty of Family Service of Rhode Island,” says Margaret Holland McDuff, the nonprofit’s CEO. “We wanted to combine our knowledge and experience with that of Roger Williams University’s School of Justice Studies to offer a unique and comprehensive training to professionals across the Rhode Island.” 

Holland McDuff noted that Family Service of Rhode Island has long worked in partnership with the Providence Police Department in assisting victims and is now working in East Providence and most recently with the Rhode Island State Police. 

Sessions at the academy will cover topics including gay, lesbian and transgender issues; victims’ rights; elder issues; and victim compensation. Roger Williams University faculty will serve as instructors for selected sessions, as will staff from Family Service of Rhode Island, and from several non-profit, educational and government agencies. Rhode Island General Treasurer Gina M. Raimondo will deliver the program’s keynote speech.

"Raising awareness across various state and community agencies about the critical work happening around crime victim assistance is vital," General Treasurer Raimondo says. "The Crime Victims Compensation Fund, administered by my office, is another resource that academy participants will learn how to access for their clients."

The State Victim Assistance Academy will take place July 12, 19 and 26, and Aug. 2 and 9 at the University’s Baypoint Inn and Conference Center in Portsmouth.

The academy is open to anyone working in Rhode Island who is in a paid or volunteer position that includes direct contact with victims of crime in Rhode Island.