Administration launches "Apps Against Abuse" technology challenge to help address sexual assault and dating violence 
On July 13 Vice President Joe Biden, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, and Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius launched the "Apps Against Abuse" technology challenge - a national competition to develop an innovative software application, or "app," that provides young adults with tools to help prevent sexual assault and dating violence.  Information and submission guidelines are available at http://challenge.gov/HHS/199-apps-against-abuse . The winner of the challenge will be announced in October 2011.

Submit nominations online for the 2012 National Crime Victims' Service Awards

The Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) relies on people in the victim services field to share stories of great accomplishments and wants to acknowledge individuals, organizations, programs, and teams doing innovative and remarkable work for victims. The 2012 National Crime Victims' Service Awards are a way to celebrate these achievements.  OVC's Online Nomination Form allows us to nominate outstanding victim service providers, allied professionals, and crime victims and survivors for the 2012 National Crime Victims' Service Awards.  Submission Guidelines allow us to review step-by-step instructions on how to complete our nomination form.  The nine award categories are National Crime Victim Service Award, Special Courage Award, Allied Professional Award, Award for Professional Innovation in Victim Services, Ronald Wilson Reagan Public Policy Award, Volunteer for Victims Award, Federal Service Award, Crime Victims' Rights Award, and Crime Victims Financial Restoration Award.  Award recipients will be honored at the National Crime Victims' Service Awards Ceremony on April 20, 2012, a prelude event to National Crime Victims' Rights Week, April 22-28, 2012.  Submit your nomination today.

Registration Open: 2011 National Sexual Assault Conference 

September 14-16, 2011 ---  Baltimore, MD
This three-day advocacy-based conference provides advanced training opportunities and information regarding sexual violence intervention and prevention. Click HERE for registration information.  

The National Conference on Responding to Crime Victims with Disabilities aims to enhance the knowledge, skills, and abilities of providers to effectively serve people with disabilities who are victims of crime. It will facilitate partnerships among the fields of victim assistance, advocacy for persons with disabilities, and all allied professions (e.g., adult and child protective service workers, faith-based practitioners, medical practitioners/forensic examiners, mental health practitioners, educators). The Conference will be held December 13-15, 2011, at the JW Marriott Orlando Grand Lakes in Orlando, Florida, and the conference committee is currently seeking Field-Generated Workshop Proposals and Applications for Community-Team Scholarships.  Visit the Conference website for more information.