The next National Crime Victims Rights Week will be observed April 8-14, 2018, with the candlelight vigil and award ceremony being held Wednesday April 11th at 5:30pm.
Each year, AVR and the community recognize individuals and organizations that demonstrate outstanding service in supporting victims and victim services. The award recipients, who are selected from public nominations in 10 categories, are extraordinary individuals, organizations, teams, and programs that provide services to victims of crime. The honorees are honored at the Annual Crime Victims’ Service Awards Ceremony and Candlelight Vigil.
We will accept nominations in the same categories as below, so please feel free to nominate throughout this year!!!
2017 Award Winners

Phenomenal Community Member - Mariana Eneva, Nevada Urban Indians
Outstanding Advocate - Dr. Lorraine Benuto, Victim of Crime Treatment Center
Exceptional Volunteer - Megan Long, Sexual Assault Support Services (SASS) & RPD VSU
Remarkable Business - Nevada Urban Indians
Outstanding Non-Profit Organization - Northern Nevada HOPES
Distinguished Member of the Criminal Justice System - Eric Ramos, Department of Alternative Sentencing
Outstanding Unit in Criminal Justice System - Washoe County Child Advocacy Center
Pioneer In Victim Services - Traci Dory, Nevada Department of Corrections
Outstanding Agency - Non-Criminal Justice - Winnemucca Domestic Violence Services
Stellar Educator - Northern Nevada Literacy Council
Humanitarian Award - Dr. Carina Black and Northern Nevada International Center

Award Purpose:

 The nominee must have shown commendable service(s) that helped a victim of crime anytime during the past year, up to present day. Multiple nominee submissions are welcome. Previous winners are not eligible for nomination. See past winners here.
The Alliance for Victims' Rights (AVR) is proud to honor outstanding and remarkable individuals and businesses who have contributed to the betterment of victims of crime in Northern Nevada through the "Bringing Respect and Honor to Victims" Awards.
The categories are as follows:

Helping Hands Award

Phenomenal Community Member:
Recognizes an individual or community member outside of the victim assistance field, who has contributed significantly to a victim or a program focused on assisting victims of crime. Examples can include: someone who has performed a courageous act on behalf of a victim or potential victim; an individual who has donated an exceptional amount of time OR, independent witness that provided emergency assistance. Please note: this can not be a person whose normal job duties include assisting victims of crime.

Essence of Advocacy Award

Outstanding Advocate:
Recognizes a paid advocate that is trained specifically as a victim services professional and who provides services that directly impact victim services. This individual has gone “above and beyond” the call of duty in providing comprehensive assistance to a victim of crime. Examples of nominee’s may include: systems based advocates, and advocates working for a non-profit agency.

Kind Heart Award

Exceptional Volunteer Advocate:
Recognizes a volunteer that is trained in serving victims of violent crime. All volunteers sacrifice their valuable time to help others, but this individual has exceeded basic volunteer requirements to make services better for victims. Any volunteer (for a non-profit or system based program) where the person is not compensated financially is eligible for this category.

Imagine. Believe. Achieve. Award

Remarkable Business:
Recognizes a business within our community that has notably helped a victim of crime or a victim’s rights program. Recipients in this category put forth the effort not because they are mandated through their agency to work with victims, but rather they recognize that the community and its citizens have a responsibility to help others.

Justice Award

Outstanding Unit in Criminal Justice System:
Recognizes an outstanding agency or specialized unit whose actions represent a passion in the pursuit of justice for those they serve. This agency or unit goes above the call of duty to serve victims of crime and ensure that they are treated with dignity and respect. Examples of nominees may include: specialized teams, units, committees, task forces, etc.

Star Award

Stellar Educator Award:
Recognizes and outstanding teacher, educator, or mentor that has notably supported victims and/or displayed efforts in the prevention of violence. This individual has surpassed their defined duties to assist students who have been impacted by violence and/or delivers curriculum that works to create a better understanding of violence, how to prevent it, and how to maintain healthy relationships. Recipients of this award can include, but are not limited to K-12 teachers and counselors, college faculty and staff, community outreach professionals, staff at local community organizations (ex: Boys and Girls Club, after school programs, etc.), and other individuals who may work with students.

Zeal Award

Distinguished Member of Criminal Justice System:
Recognizes an outstanding individual whose exemplary performance has had a significant impact on the rights of victims. These individuals ensure justice and the rights of victims are upheld and consistently prioritized during criminal justice proceedings. Examples of nominees for this award may include: law enforcement officers, prosecutors, clerks of the court, judiciary, corrections, alternative sentencing programs and parole and probation.

Compassion Award

Outstanding Non-Profit Organization:
Recognizes a non-profit agency, school, church, civic group, or community program/group that has notably helped a victim or has made tremendous contributions to the victim services field. Recipients in this category may serve victims of crime, but their successes and achievements exceed basic expectations.

Non-Criminal Justice Award

Outstanding Government Agency:
Recognizes an outstanding governmental agency that is not part of the criminal justice system. This agency goes above the call of duty to ensure that victims of crime and those events associated with victims of crime are supported and encouraged. Examples may include: city or county departments such as parks and recreation, courts, community or economic development, public works, etc.

Pioneer in Victim Services

Pioneer in Victim Services Lifetime Achievement:
This is a lifetime achievement award that recognizes an individual who has provided consistent and exceptional services to countless victims throughout their professional career (minimum of 10 years). This individual demonstrates a tireless dedication to helping expand the reach of victim’s rights and services while making significant contributions that have made a lasting impact in the lives of people impacted by crime.