Victim Rights Advocacy Organizations

International Resources, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom, United States, Victim Rights Legislation, Related Documents

International Resources

Avocats Sans Frontières (Lawyers without Borders): Avocats Sans Frontières (ASF) is a non-governmental organization acting in the field of law and justice. ASF was created in 1992 by a small group of lawyers who strongly believed they could contribute to a more equitable and united world. Therefore, ASF works to promote, to strengthen and to protect civil, political, social and cultural human rights of individuals and peoples.

Amnesty International On-Line: The home page of the world's major human-rights organization. More information and links than I could even begin to describe.

Anti-Slavery International: Anti-Slavery International, founded in 1839, is the world's oldest international human rights organization and the only charity in the United Kingdom to work exclusively against slavery and related abuses. They work at local, national and international levels to eliminate the system of slavery around the world by advocacy, lobbying, research and public education.

Association for the Prevention of Torture: The APT is an international non-governmental organization (NGO) which envisions a world in which no one is subjected to torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. The APT has been leading the international campaign for the adoption, entry into force and effective implementation of the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention against Torture (OPCAT), an international legal instrument which seeks to open all places of detention to international and national scrutiny. The APT’s multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural team has expertise in training, providing legal advice, developing practical tools, facilitating exchanges and advocating for preventive measures and mechanisms. The APT is governed by an international Board that supervises, advises and participates in activities organised by the Secretariat in Geneva.

Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation: The Centre is a South African non-governmental organization, dedicated to making a meaningful contribution to peaceful and fundamental transformation in South Africa and hence, in the Southern African region. Many links to South African and international violence resolution and peace sites and organizations can be found here.

Child Welfare League of America: The CWLA is an association of more than 1,100 public and private nonprofit agencies that assist over 3.5 million abused and neglected children and their families each year with a wide range of services. Their site includes links to advocacy information, training and education and their existing programs.

Coalition for the International Criminal Court: The Coalition for the International Criminal Court includes 2,500 organizations around the world working in partnership to strengthen international cooperation with the ICC; ensure that the Court is fair, effective and independent; make justice both visible and universal; and advance stronger national laws that deliver justice to victims of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.

Human Rights Library at the University of Minnesota: An extensive resource with over 6500 articles on file, links to more than 1400 human rights websites as well as research and legal materials.

International Centre for Criminal Law Reform and Criminal Justice Policy: The Centre is an independent, non-profit institute, officially affiliated with the United Nations. They are dedicated to making a substantial contribution to national and international efforts to reduce crime and improve justice. This site contains publications, occasional papers and reports, an events/conference listing and on-line forum facility, plus links to affiliated organizations.

International Commission on Missing Persons: Its primary role is to ensure the cooperation of governments in locating and identifying those who have disappeared during armed conflict or as a result of human rights violations. ICMP also supports the work of other organizations, encourages public involvement in its activities and contributes to the development of appropriate expressions of commemoration and tribute to the missing.

International Crime Victim Compensation Program Directory: Compiled by the US Office for Victims of Crime, this directory is an effort to identify how Victim Compensation programs function in other countries. Listed information for 19 countries or regions includes how to contact main Victim Compensation branches, what the requirements are and limits to compensation.

International Cruise Victims: International Cruise Victims Association(ICV) represents victims of crime on cruise ships, their families and friends, and individuals concerned about the problems of victimization and disappearances on cruise ships.The organization advocates for legislative reform to protect passengers from crimes and increase the rights of victims of crimes that do occur on cruise ships, and provides support to victims of crimes occurring on cruise ships. The goal of the organization is to contribute to growing a cruise industry where passengers and crew members are safe and secure from victimization while on board a cruise ship.

International Network on Therapeutic Jurisprudence: As defined by their site: "Therapeutic Jurisprudence concentrates on the law's impact on emotional life and psychological well-being. It is a perspective that regards the law (rules of law, legal procedures, and roles of legal actors) itself as a social force that often produces therapeutic or anti-therapeutic consequences. It does not suggest that therapeutic concerns are more important than other consequences or factors, but it does suggest that the law's role as a potential therapeutic agent should be recognized and systematically studied. "

International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims: The home page of this organization, including contact information and links to a variety of online publications and news.

National Organization for Victim Assistance (NOVA): A victim's rights advocacy and emergency counselling organization, NOVA is a pioneer in the field of victim-assistance and has a number of manuals available on creating a local victim-assistance program and training volunteers. It's site contains excellent information on crime, safety and psychological trauma, and links to many related pages. NOVA, while a US organization, is becoming an agency of international scope.

Privacy International: Privacy International has been most prominent in North America, Europe and Asia, where it has liaised with local human rights organizations to raise awareness about the development of national surveillance systems. The network has also been used by law reform and human rights organizations in more than twenty countries to assist local privacy issues. In Thailand and the Philippines, for example, Privacy International worked with local human rights bodies to develop national campaigns against the establishment of government identity card systems.

Privacy Rights Clearinghouse: This organization covers all issues dealing with privacy rights and covers such topics as wiretapping, junk mail and harassing phone calls, the Internet and government, as well as stalking and harassment and identity theft. Online fact sheets, the text of articles, speeches and papers, as well as case histories and links of interest are all available.

S.O.S. Attentats: A support and advocacy organization which seeks to provide legal, social and counselling assistance to victims and survivors of terrorism, and to support the fight against terrorism worldwide.

The SOLD Project: The SOLD Project is a grassroots organization dedicated to inspiring and empowering individuals to stop child prostitution before it begins. The purpose of the organization is to prevent the buying and selling of children by providing scholarships to children at risk. The SOLD Project also seeks to support our partner organizations in Thailand that work in the areas of rescue and rehabilitation for children at-risk.

United Nations Home Page: All areas of the UN and it's branches can be reached through this page. Included are databases, documents, publications, audio/visual/webcast info and more.

White Ribbon Campaign: An international advocacy organization of men working to end violence against women. They are an educational organization to encourage reflection and discussion that leads to personal and collective action among men

World Organization Against Torture (organization Mondiale Contre la Torture): OMCT fights against torture, summary executions, forced disappearances and all other forms of cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment. It has at its disposal a network, SOS Torture, consisting of some 240 non-governmental organizations which act as sources of information. It offers international advocacy, victim rights and support programs, and human rights monitoring.

World Society of Victimology: The WSV is an international not-for-profit nongovernmental organization with consultive status category II with the ECOSOC of United Nations and the Council of Europe. Its world-wide membership is brought together by their mutual concern for victims and includes victim assistance practitioners, scientists, social workers, physicians, lawyers, university professors and students. scholastics, governments and the legal profession. It's purpose is to promote research on victims and victim assistance, as well as promoting advocacy on the interests of victims throughout the world. Finally, it seeks to encourage interdisciplinary and comparative research in victimology and to advance the cooperation of international, regional, and local agencies, groups and individuals concerned with the problems of victims.

Australia

Advocates for Survivors of Child Abuse: ASCA (Advocates for Survivors of Child Abuse) is a national not for profit organization of survivors supporting other survivors. - ASCA's door is open to anyone (over 18) who feels they have suffered abuse - physical, emotional, sexual or spiritual. Through an Australia-wide support network - online, phone and face-to-face, monthly newsletter, 1300 information line (1300 657 380), and counselor-facilitated programs, workshops, awareness events and this website, ASCA helps to break down the sense of isolation and alienation many survivors feel, validates survivors' experiences and encourages trust.

Angelhands: Provides information, peer support, advocacy and referral for victims of crime in Western Australia.

Crime Victims Support Associated Inc: C.V.S.A is run by victims of crime to assist any person or persons who becomes a victim of any criminal act in the State of Victoria. The purposes of this organization include: To advocate for victims with relevant Government and Non-Government agencies; To service and assist victims with all aspects of the impact of a crime and aims to ensure that needs and rights of victims are heard and acted on by the Government and Community; To hold meetings of parents of murdered children, and culpable driving and of siblings and friends that is about equipping by meeting with other victims of the heinous crime of murder and vehicular manslaughter and to build up a kindred spirit and to realize they are not alone.

HVSG - Homicide Victims' Support Group Australia:The purpose of this group is to provide support, counselling and information for families and friends affected by homicide in NSW. HVSG has three main aims:To provide support, information and counseling for families and friends affected by the murder of a loved one; To educate the general community and professional bodies about the needs of people affected by homicide and to increase effective communication between all parties that come into contact with families of homicide victims, thus promoting understandinl To promote the interests and rights of families of homicide victims, lobbying for legislative change wherever inequities or loopholes exist.

Canada

Aboriginal Justice Implementation Commission: Based in Manitoba, this commission works to ensure aboriginal peoples receive justice within the court system and to develop implementation strategies for recommendations aimed at improving justice programs and services for First Nations and Métis people in Manitoba.

Access to Justice Network: A wealth of information on - and links to - Canadian issues and law, victim's rights and support groups, advocacy and resource material.

Canadian Forum on Civil Justice: A joint initiative of the Canadian Bar Association and the Faculty of Law of the University of Alberta. The Forum is an independent and neutral organization, whose purpose is to facilitate the exchange of information and experience on civil justice reform to assist the judiciary, courts, governments and other interested parties. The Forum will provide services in both of Canada's official languages.

Canadian Police Association : The professional organization for Canadian Police Officers. Among other items of interest to be found here is the CPA's Victim Resource Centre; an advocacy service, it collects and tracks statistics on victims and victimology as well as victim rights legislation Canada-wide, provides a variety of services to victims of crime, advocates for victim's rights to all levels of government and acts as an information clearinghouse.

Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime and their National Justice Network: The CRCVC advocates for individual victims and their families in order to assist them in obtaining needed services and resources, and lobbies for victims' rights by presenting the interests and perspectives of victims of crime to Government, at all levels. The CRCVC also offers a variety of resource materials to crime victims in Canada, including a monthly newsletter; the NJN Update. The Update is a monthly newsletter through which victims of crime, victim services workers, other criminal justice professionals and interested parties are kept abreast of current issues. Interested persons or organizations will receive updates on what bills have been introduced; what stages they are at; who is doing what for victims and what is happening in areas such as young offenders, high risk offenders, conditional release and victims' rights.

Child Find Canada: The home page of this Canadian organization.

Families Against Crime and Trauma (FACT): An advocacy organization whose mission is to create change in the criminal Justice system, to provide guidance and direction pertaining to court procedures, and to educate the community and victims about their rights.

Lindsey's Law: The purpose of this site is to raise awareness and garner support for Bill C-441, Lindsey's Law. This legislation will allow the collection of DNA from missing persons or their close relatives for the purpose of cross-referencing DNA from crime scenes and unidentified human remains. This legislation will provide answers for grieving families, justice for the victims and put violent criminals behind bars.

Victim for Justice Coalition of Windsor/Essex County: VFJ is a non-profit, grass-roots victim advocacy organization. Their site lists many links of interest to survivors of all kinds of crime.

Victims of Violence: VoV oversees a number of projects, acts in advocacy and is active in referring victims to appropriate services. Their Centre for Missing Children is recognized by the RCMP Missing Children Registry. Links leading to online publications, auto-fax lines and research papers are available.

Italy

Associazione Italiana Familiari e Vittime della Strada onlus - Italian Association of Families of Road Victims Online: This organization provides public information and education on road deaths in Italy, advocates for victim rights in the legal process, and promotes legislation to reduce road deaths.

New Zealand

Red Raincoat NZ Trust: The Red Raincoat Trust was established to help form a support network throughout the Country for the victims of Homicide. Their services inclucde: information provision, referrals to regional social services, emotional support and advocacy.

Spain

Fundación de Victimología: The Victimology Foundation of Spain is a national organization which works to promote academic research, legislative advocacy and practical assistance for victims of crime within Spain, and provides helpful information for Spanish-speaking victims of crime around the globe.

United Kingdom

Advocates for Victims of Homicide Ireland: The purpose of their website is to set out clearly their objectives for legislative and procedural change they are working towards, in the future, while providing vital information to help families deal with the practicalities arising after a homicide.

Centre for Crime and Justice Studies: A UK organization who's purpose is to advance the education of the public, and in particular of those engaged in the administration of criminal justice and the treatment of offenders, in the causes and prevention of delinquency and crime, the treatment of offenders, and the principles and operation of the criminal justice process both in the United Kingdom and abroad.

Drop the Weapons: A advocacy site run by the London Metropolitan police, seeking to reduce violence by providing positive examples from the community, and soliciting input from citizens in the way of videos, music and other media.

Map of Gaps: This project uses geomapping software to show the gaps in service areas for violence against women, including: domestic violence, sexual abuse, sexual assault, specialist court services and treatment programs, and much more.

Mothers Against Murder and Aggression: Supporting family members of homicide victims, and advocating for victims with the criminal justice system.

National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children: The National Society for the Prevention of the Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) is the UK's leading charity specializing in child protection and the prevention of cruelty to children. It has been protecting children from abuse for over 100 years. The NSPCC is the only children's charity in the UK with statutory powers enabling it to act to safeguard children at risk. This site contains on and off-line publications, research material, program data, regional office contact information and so much more I can't even begin to describe it all.

United States

American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children: APSAC's mission is to ensure that everyone affected by child maltreatment receives the best possible professional response. APSAC addresses all facets of the professional response to child maltreatment: prevention, assessment, intervention, and treatment. Its publications and training cover all aspects of child maltreatment, including emotional neglect and other forms of neglect, psychological maltreatment, and physical and sexual abuse. Sections on professional development, local chapters, legislation and APSAC publications can be found on site.

CASA: The National Court Appointed Special Advocate Association: An association of volunteer court- appointed special advocates, the purpose of these specially trained advocates is to speak for the best interest of a child who is passing through the justice or social service systems. CASA is always actively recruiting new members.

Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence: A well-designed and informative site, the Center works from a multi-disciplinary platform on the subject of violence and facilitates the building of bridges between the research community and the practitioners and policy makers. The CSPV collects research literature and resources on the causes and prevention of violence and provides direct information services to the public by offering topical searches on customized databases. Second, CSPV offers technical assistance for the evaluation and development of violence prevention programs. Third, CSPV maintains a basic research component through data analysis and other projects on the causes of violence and the effectiveness of prevention and intervention programs. The Center maintains four databases. They are the:

Center for Victim and Human Rights: CVHR is a nonprofit organization which provides legal services to victims of crime (domestic or international) and human rights abuses, and conducts policy research and development with regard to victims’ rights.

Citizens Against Homicide: CAH offers advocacy for survivor rights, letter writing campaigns for legislation or for petitions, cold case information, and a variety of courtroom and trial support.

Council on Crime and Justice: Based in Minnesota, this organization is committed to helping victims and preventing crime through advocacy, research and education.

Crime Victim Advocacy Council (Atlanta): CVAC assists victims, families, and communities affected by crime to cope with their suffering and pain throughout the healing process, by:
(1) engaging in community outreach and educational activities to increase the awareness of issues of crime and justice affecting diverse populations; (2) offering educational programs and support groups to enhance victims’ knowledge and problem-solving skills concerning issues of crime and justice within a safe and caring environment; (3) promoting advocacy that supports crime victim rights’ legislation in general and assists crime victims as they navigate the health, legal, and criminal justice systems to address their own needs and concerns; and (4) collaborating with public and private agencies through education, training, and research ventures that enhance our understanding of, and response to, issues associated with crime, victimization, and the administration of justice.

Crime Victims First: Crime Victims First is a web-based non-profit service whose mission is to improve the treatment of victims/survivors of crime and compliance with victims' rights, and to prevent rights violations through education, advocacy, and enforcement in Texas and worldwide.

Crime Victims for a Just Society: A Michigan-based advocacy and training organization devoted to providing an opportunity for crime victims and others who care to lend their voices and their talents to efforts to create a more just society. Through outreach, education, and training, CVJS offers information and expertise in cutting-edge concepts, from community policing to restorative justice to violence reduction through a public-health model. Their goal is to help individuals, families, organizations, and neighborhoods explore creative new solutions to the range of crime problems in our communities.

Crime Victims United of Oregon: Crime Victims United was founded in 1983 to advance the rights of crime victims and enhance the safety of all law-abiding Oregonians by addressing problems in Oregon's criminal justice system. Over more than two decades, Crime Victims United has worked with the Oregon Legislature on laws to protect the rights of crime victims and enhance public safety, including working with hundreds of individual victims, helping them navigate through the bureaucracy to find justice in the criminal justice system.

CUE North Carolina Center for Missing Persons: CUE is focused on finding the missing, advocating for their causes, and supporting their families. Offering a wide range of free services, for the missing and their families, CUE also offers college internships and youth mentoring programs.

Families of Homicide Victims and Missing Persons: A non-profit organization which seeks to help resolve cold case homicides and locate long-missing persons.

Families of September 11: Families of September 11, Inc. (FOS11) is a non-profit organization founded in October 2001 by families of those who died in the September 11 terrorist attacks. Membership is open to anyone affected by the events of September 11, be they family members, survivors, responders, or others as well as those who support our mission. The group has two goals: 1) To support families and children by offering updated information on issues of interest, access to resources, relevant articles, and advocacy to raise awareness about the effects of terrorism and public trauma. 2) To champion domestic and international policies that respond to the threat of terrorism including support for the 9/11 Commission Recommendations, and to reach out to victims of terror worldwide.

Florida Victim Advocacy Center : This web site is intended to provide up-to-date information about victimization to individuals across the globe. It is a service of the Victim Advocacy Center at Florida International University in Miami, which was established with the mission to provide support services to victims and survivors of crime and abuse, and to increase awareness of violence and victimization in the South Florida community. Links to many resources for crime victims are available at this site.

ICC Victims' Rights Working Group: The Victims' Rights Working Group's main objectives have been to raise the awareness of governments and others about victims' issues, to ensure that the Statute and the Rules of Procedure and Evidence adequately provided for victims' rights to be protected and respected, and their needs and concerns to be met throughout the judicial process of the International Criminal Court.. The site includes background information, online documents and reports, and a link to their listserv.

Innocence Project: The Innocence Project’s mission is to free innocent people who remain incarcerated, and to bring substantive reform to the system responsible for their unjust imprisonment.

Join Together Online: An excellent, easy-to-use and informative site, JTO is "to prevent and reduce the use of illicit drugs, excessive alcohol, tobacco and gun violence." A large part of the site is dedicated to the gun violence issue.

Justice for All: A criminal justice advocacy organization based in Texas. It has a number of interesting features, including on-line back issues of their monthly newsletter "The Voice of Justice" as well as a large collection of links, broken down into categories for easy selection.

Justice for Homicide Victims: JHV provides: Support and friendship to distressed persons who experienced the homicide of a family member; Referrals for survivors physical and emotional health; Contact with similarly bereaved family members or other persons; Public awareness and education of victim rights and the abuse or noncompliance of thee rights in all areas of the criminal justice system; and support of victims who fight for their rights.

The Justice Information Page of the National Criminal Justice Resource Center (NCJRS) of the U.S. Dept. of Justice: A tremendous source of links for information on U.S. law, statistics, pending legislation, victim's rights and resource material. One link on this page, Victims of Crime can be of particular use to anyone looking for information or links on specific kinds of crimes.

The Justice Project: The Justice Project is a nonpartisan organization dedicated to fighting injustice and to creating a more humane and just world.

KlassKids Victims' Rights State Map/Index: A state-by-state listing of victims rights in the US, from the KlassKids Foundation.

Men Can Stop Rape: an international organization that mobilizes men to use their strength for creating cultures free from violence, especially men’s violence against women. MCSR provides agencies, schools, and organizations with direct services for youth, public service messaging, and leadership training.

Michigan Crime Victims: This excellent advocacy and victim rights site lists articles of interest, has an events and support calendar, gives information on protection orders, has links which lead to directories of state victim services and support organizations and much more.

Models for Change: Systems Reform in Juvenile Justice: Models for Change is a national initiative to accelerate reform of juvenile justice systems across the country. Focused on efforts in select states, the initiative aims to create replicable models for reform that effectively hold young people accountable for their actions, provide for their rehabilitation, protect them from harm, increase their life chances, and manage the risk they pose to themselves and to public safety.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) National Office: A very informative page, giving background information on this organization, contact info, accomplishments and information on what you can do to help. A few links to other MADD sites are also listed.

Missouri Victim Assistance Network: MoVA is a not-for-profit network of individuals and organizations from across the State of Missouri who have come together to work towards creating a community responsive to crime victims. Their site includes background information on their organizations, a list of member agencies, an events calendar, and listing of victim assistance resources, telephone numbers and links in Missouri and elsewhere.

Murder Victims.Com: A support and information site for the families and friends of murder victims. The site includes information resources, advocacy projects and several web forums where survivors can talk about their feelings, thoughts and experiences.

National Air Disaster Alliance/Foundation: NADA/F is a non-profit organization which seeks and advocates to improve the treatment of the families/survivors of aircraft disasters as well as advocating for prevention and higher standards of safety in the air industry. This organization represents aviation professionals as well as the survivors, family members and others impacted by over 35 aviation disasters. Their site includes sign-up information, support and informational links, a history and background of the organization and more.

National Association of Victim Service Professionals in Corrections: The National Association of Victim Service Professionals in Corrections provides a voice for corrections-based victim services. As a national non-profit organization, it seeks to: Serve as a clearinghouse for information, resources and referrals; Assist in developing, providing and monitoring training and technical assistance; Provide vision, leadership and guidance in policy and program development to increase victim satisfaction with corrections; Promote mentoring relationships

National Center for the Prosecution of Child Abuse: The National District Attorneys Association established the National Center for Prosecution of Child Abuse as a program of the American Prosecutors Research Institute (APRI). Aimed at responding to an increasing volume of reported child abuse, the National Center provides training, technical assistance and publications to prosecutors, investigators and allied criminal justice professionals on all aspects of criminal child abuse and exploitation.

National Center for Victims of Crime: Many links to crime-specific pages and large amounts of resource material on and for victims of crime, victim's rights advocacy and national and state laws/programs.

National Clearinghouse on Marital and Date Rape: The CNMDR works through research, education, information, advocacy and counselling to o bring about social, legal, political, psychological, economic, and religious change in order to make intimate relationships truly egalitarian.

National Crime Victim Bar Association: The NCVBA provides technical support to attorneys representing crime victims in civil actions, refers crime victims to lawyers in their local area, and works to increase general awareness about the availability of civil remedies for victims of crime.

National Crime Victim Law Institute: The National Crime Victim Law Institute is a non-profit research and educational organization at Lewis & Clark Law School, Portland, Oregon. NCVLI is the only national organization in the country working to assert victims’ rights in criminal trial courts. In addition to its teaching mission, NCVLI performs a number of critical functions:
  - Maintains and disseminates a resource bank of crime victim law
  - Assists attorneys who provide direct legal services to crime victims
  - Works to establish legal clinics nationwide to represent victims in court
  - Files amicus briefs advocating for crime victims’ rights in the courts

National Criminal Justice Association: A long established and well known organization, based in Washington D.C., which represent states on matters of crime control and public safety. It also provides the National Governor's Association with staff support on public safety matters. Included on the site is a list of publications, meeting dates, policy statements and a large number of links leading to relevant state's websites or sites of interest to those in the Criminal Justice field.

National Family Court Watch Project: The National Family Court Watch Project is dedicated to providing an impartial assessment of the effectiveness of family courts in dealing with custody, visitation, support and property issues.

National Youth Violence and Prevention Resource Center: The mission of the NYVPRC is to provide key leaders in communities—local government leaders and community leaders—with dynamic resources to help support their efforts to plan, develop, implement, and evaluate effective youth violence prevention efforts

Office for Victim's of Crime Homepage: Possibly the single best source for information directly relating to Victim Assistance and the people who work in this field. Some of it's major sections include: Help for Victims and Training and Technical Assistance.

Operation Lifesaver: Operation Lifesaver is a non-profit, nationwide public education program designed to eliminate collisions, deaths, and injuries at highway-rail intersections and on railroad rights-of-way. It is sponsored cooperatively by a wide variety of partners, including federal, state and local government agencies, highway safety and transportation organizations, and the nation's railroads.

Oral History of the Victim Assistance Field: The Victim Oral History Project was designed to capture the evolution of the Victim's Rights Movement. Project staff conducted video taped interviews with more than fifty of the fields' pioneers who made some of the historically significant contributions to the progress and evolution of the crime victims' field. Together, their first hand accounts, renaissances and perspectives help sketch a historical map of the victim movement's past, present, and even its future.

Outpost for Hope: This organization seeks to bridge the gap between under-represented missing, unidentified deceased persons, and their families. This population often includes the homeless, runaways and others forgotten by society. They assist families who are searching for their lost loved ones, support the efforts of law enforcement, and educate the public about this silent epidemic.

Romance Scams: A non-profit information and advocacy organization, their purpose is to create public awareness on this crime, provide accurate information and expertise to assist in the successful demise of online romance scams, and help people learn, heal, and experience a safe on-line environment. Their site includes extensive background information on the many types of scams, particular dangers to be aware of, the provision of peer counselors for victims to talk to about what has happened to them, and more.

SAFER (Students Active For Ending Rape): SAFER provides community organizing training and ongoing support for college and university students working to improve their schools' sexual assault prevention and response activities. By offering students leadership training; resources; and education in how sexual violence intersects with race, class, culture, and gender, SAFER empowers student activists to mobilize their communities and push school administrations to take action. They also maintain a separate blog

SCVAN (South Carolina Victim Assistance Network) : A state-wide agency which advocates on behalf of victims and witnesses of crime and acts as a communication/education/research network. It also facilitates quality training, education and the coordination of policy development. Many links and resources of interest are available.

Security on Campus, Inc: A large and well established organization devoted to keeping college students safe. These pages contain excellent information, articles and advice on keeping safe at college, as well as boasting a wide-ranging victim-assistance telephone listing organized by state.

Survivors International: A non-profit organization dedicated to providing essential psychological and medical services to survivors of torture who have fled from around the world to the San Francisco Bay Area. SI aims to help survivors put the pieces back together by providing the support they need to re-establish healthy and productive lives after their experiences of torture.

Survivors of Homicide in Connecticut: Support, advocacy, civil litigation and other events and projects are just a few of things this organization provides.

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights: A large site, dealing with all aspects of human rights. There's too much information available here to even try and list.

VICTIMLAW: VictimLaw is a user-friendly database of victims’ rights laws in the United States. VICTIMLAW is a cooperative project between the National Center for Victims of Crime and the US Office for Victims of Crime.

Victims and Citizens Against Crime: This Louisiana-based victim advocacy organization has been very active in education, advocacy, lobbying and fundraising.

Victims' Assistance Legal Organization: VALOR works to advance victims' rights through public policy efforts on the federal, state, and local levels. Through the promotion of education and awareness about the rights and needs of crime victims, the organization works to improve services for victims to assist in their emotional, financial, and physical recovery.

Victim Rights Law Center: The Center supplies a number of services: free legal assistance to victims of rape and sexual assault, systemic advocacy for victims, legal training for law students and lawyers, and community education.

Voice of Victims (Colorado) : VoV works to prevent the re-victimization of people that are victims of violent crimes in the State of Colorado. Their mission is to provide post-sentencing support to all victims of violent crime, be a victim advocate, ensure the Colorado Victims Bill of Rights is duly administered, provide financial support where necessary, appropriate, and possible to victims

Wisconsin Advocates for Families of Missing People: WAFMP provides community awareness, education, support and closure for Wisconsin's families of missing endangered adults. WAFMP supplies immediate support to the families, and assists by distributing flyers, informing media and law enforcement of the missing status of loved ones. WAFMP also provides financial assistance in areas such as hiring investigators, transportation, planning benefits along with other needed areas of the search, and by assisting through grass roots efforts searches for the lost and through understanding and support from volunteers for those left behind. WAFMP also provides community education services in a variety of areas to reduce the incidence of tragedy and missing persons in Wisconsin.

Wisconsin Crime Victim's Rights: The Official Wisconsin Crime Victim's Homepage, it contains information and emotional support for anyone who might have to testify at court. It should be noted, however, this is a Wisconsin based page; victim's rights/duties under law and specific laws/programs can vary from state-to-state and are certainly different in Canada.

Witness Justice: Witness Justice is a national, grassroots, non-denominational 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to empower and assist victims of violence and their loved ones in healing from trauma and in navigating the criminal justice process. They provide information and support and connection through their Virtual Community; as well as direct assistance to any survivor who may have questions in the aftermath of violence. They also provide a wide variety of education, training, networking and advocacy services.

Women's Justice Center: This organization provides advocacy for victims of rape, domestic violence, and child abuse, particularly in the Latina and other under served communities of Sonoma County; other services include training and community education.

You Have the Power...Know How to Use It: Is a not-for-profit agency dedicated to raising awareness about crime and justice issues. Their goal is to prevent violent crime and reduce victimization. They conduct educational programs, create documentary videos, and produce practical resource books on topics such as domestic violence, elder abuse, methamphetamine, and child sexual abuse.