Crime Victim Advisors

The Crime Victim Advisors are a unique group of people who have experienced crime themselves, and who work on behalf of all Vermont’s crime victims – whether they have suffered personal injury, personal loss, or property loss.  The mission is to provide a bridge  between people and communities who are directly affected by crime and the statewide systems, institutions, and people whose work affects them.  Becoming an Advisor provides individuals with the opportunity to educate themselves about victim assistance, share experiences, and identify ways that they may influence policy and improve services for victims of crime.

Some activities to date include:

• Co-sponsoring an annual legislative breakfast with the Center for Crime Victim Services

• Celebrating the efforts of those who work on behalf of victims at the Center’s annual Crime Victim Rights Week Awards Ceremony in Montpelier each April

• Participating in training and development teams where policy, outreach and services are created that will affect victims of crime

• Providing speakers for victim impact panels as a way to reach out to Vermonters

• Testifying at the Legislature on bills that impact the lives of victim/survivors of crime

• The creation of the “Courage In Bloom” Memorial Garden in Montpelier, Vermont. Located close to the State House, the Memorial Garden serves as a place of honor for survivors, as well as a reminder to State officials and community members of the need to support those who have been victimized by crime.

Vermont Crime Victim Advisor Program is open to anyone who has experienced a crime and who is interested in making a difference for victims and survivors of crime.

We invite you to join us.

For more information, contact Melinda Meyer  at the Vermont Center for Crime Victim Services,

802-241-1250 ext. 100