Our mission is to champion dignity and compassion for those harmed by crime and crisis.
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OUR WORK
assist
We advocate for victims by connecting them with services and resources.
train
We provide skill-based training to victim advocates and crisis responders.
credential
We ensure the highest standards and professional core competencies are met and maintained by those working directly with crime victims through credentialing programs.
promote
We promote public policy initiatives that protect the rights of crime victims and serve as the national voice for victims.
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OUR VALUES
compassion
We care about and respond to the plight of people and one another.
accountability
Excellence in our work and justice in our cause means we honor our commitments.
collaboration
Teamwork and partnerships are crucial to the work we do.
passion
We are driven by the hope that the work we do change lives.
Executive Staff
Board of Directors
NOVA’s Board of Directors is comprised of up to fifteen elected members committed to its mission.
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EXECUTIVE BOARD
- Steven J. Twist (President, (1st Term expires 2020)
Arizona Voice for Crime Victims, Scottsdale, AZ - Rhonda S. Barner, Immediate Past President, (1st Term expires 2017)
Retired-Director, Montgomery County Prosecutor’s Office/Witness Division Dayton, OH - Andrew Yurick, Vice-President, (2nd Term expires 2020)
Attorney, Woodbury, NJ - Rosie Martinez, Secretary (1st Term expires 2021)
Victims Unit Director, Hidalgo County Criminal District Attorney- Victims Unit
Edinburg, Texas - Jennifer Radder, Treasurer, (1st Term expires 2020)
Family Ministries Director at Destiny Community Church
Newberry, FL -
REMAINING ELECTED BOARD
- Jeannette Adkins, MEd, LPC, CA, (1st Term expires 2019)
Retired – Executive Director, Michael’s House Child Advocacy Center/Greene Co. Prosecutor’s Office - Paul B. Freeman, (1st Term expires 2020)
Retired – Victim Specialist Federal Bureau of Investigation,
Victim Services – Consulting, Training and Trauma Response
Atlanta, GA - Dr. Mamie Futrell, DSW, LMSW (1st Term expires 2021)
Civilian Victim Advocate for the USAF (Full time)
Charleston, South Carolina - Michaelene O’Neill McCann, (1st Term expires 2019)
Retired – Attorney ADA and Chief Victim Witness Services
Essex MA District Attorney’s Office - Patricia A. Payne, (1st Term expires 2019)
Retired – Executive Director of Northwest Victim Services
Willow Grove, PA - Elizabeth (Beth) Rossman, (1st Term expires 2019)
Retired – Director Office of the State Attorney 18th Judicial Circuit, Florida
Titusville, FL
Honorary Board of Directors
Our Honorary Board Members offer additional expertise to the Board of Directors.
- Katie Beers, Abduction & Abuse Survivor/Motivational Speaker
Central Pennsylvania - Hon. Collene Thompson Campbell
San Juan Capistrano, CA - John Gillis, Victim Consultant
Rancho Murieta, CA - Hon. Lois Haight, Judge of Superior Court
Martinez, CA - Hon. Bill Montgomery, County Attorney
Maricopa County, Phoenix, AZ - Joseph Myers, Executive Director
National Indian Justice Center,
Santa Rosa, CA - Hon. Ricardo Rodriguez, Jr.
Hidalgo County Criminal District Attorney, TX - D. Michael Sheline, Assistant Section Chief
Chief-Crime Victims Section, Office of Ohio Attorney General - David Thomas, Program Manager II
International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP),
Alexandria, VA - Sarah Tueting, Executive Coach, Gold & Silver Olympic Medalist, Writer
Park City, UT - John Vanderzon, Director of Technology and Sales
Sun Management, McLean, VA
In 2008, NOVA teamed up with LifeLock to address the growing need for identity theft victim assistance and remediation. Based in Tempe, Arizona, the company has been recognized with numerous awards and honors.
As partners, we provided educational programs about identity theft to tens of thousands of consumers, victim advocates and allied professionals as well as crime prevention specialists. The one-day trainings addressed a range of identity theft issues, including laws, new technologies, awareness and protection strategies and assistance tools to aid victims of identity theft.
Visit LifeLock’s website for more information on training options.
National Advocacy Leadership Center Partners
In collaboration with our partners, NALC seeks to promote and advance the professionalization and care quality of victim advocacy. View a list of our partners
International Reach
While NOVA’s core sphere of influence and expertise has been North America, NOVA also has international relationships that provide opportunities for multinational consultation and collaboration.
For a limited time:
Purchase NOVA #bethevoice T-shirts and Waterbottles
We stock a variety of NOVA merchandise in limited quantities. Our most popular resource is a series of publications related to victim advocacy and child victims.
Become a NOVA Member
We are so grateful to our members! Our members are the backbone of the NOVA network. Each membership is an investment in providing high quality training, victim advocacy, crisis response, and enhanced services for victims and survivors of crime and crisis.
Join our growing and diverse network of NOVA Members today! NOVA offers two membership plans – NOVA Basic Membership and NOVA Premier Membership – to give you more benefits and choices. Select the NOVA Membership Plan that’s right for you!
NOVA Basic Membership
Along with the tremendous satisfaction of investing in a network of incredible professionals around the world, NOVA Basic Membership offers the following benefits:
- Quarterly NOVA Member E-Newsletter
- Reduced registration fee for the NOVA Annual Conference
- Reduced training fees for NOVA’s Crisis Response and other training programs
- Voting privileges to elect members of our Board of Directors
- NOVA merchandise and publication discounts
Become a Basic NOVA Member by clicking HERE
If you do not wish to pay online please download the paper application HERE
NOVA Premier Membership
NOVA Premier Members enjoy all of the NOVA Basic Membership benefits PLUS full access to NOVA’s National Advocacy Leadership Center (NALC).
This includes:
- NOVA’s Premier Members-Only Website
- NALC’s Monthly and Quarterly CEU Trainings for Victim Advocates and Program Managers: Earn up to 24 CEU credits per year!
- NALC’s Career Center: Career guidance, job listings and other essential information for victim assistance professionals
- Networking Opportunities: On-line and in-person meet-ups
- Professional Updates: Best practices, upcoming trainings and calls to action
Become a Premier NOVA Member by clicking HERE.
If you do not wish to pay online please download the paper application HERE
Annual Dues
Join the NOVA Family Today! Renew your Current NOVA Membership!
Annual membership dues are as follows:
- NOVA Basic Membership$55
- Senior/Student/U.S. Military/Volunteer Victim Advocate/ NVAA Alumni (20% Discount)$44
- NOVA Premier Membership$100
- Senior/Student/U.S. Military/Volunteer Victim Advocate/NVAA Alumni
(20% Discount)$80 - Life Membership$750
- Agency Head (limited to elected or appointed individuals)please call
- Group Discounts (20% off 5 or more memberships from the same agency)please call
Membership FAQs
Please expand for submission details:
Thank you for your support! If you have any additional questions, please contact us at 703-535-6682 or membership@trynova.org.
September 14, 2018
Animal Cruelty and Interpersonal Violence:
Making the Connection
On February 14, 2018, the nation joined the Parkland, Florida community in expressing outrage, grief, and outpourings of support for the 17 victims, survivors, and loved ones affected by the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. In the aftermath of this horrific act of violence, we learned more about the 19-year old shooter, Nikolas Cruz, and the many “red flags” that were missed. Among the warning signs identified, a history of cruelty toward animals was described by several witnesses. In making this connection, Cruz joins a long line of perpetrators—both high profile killers and “everyday” perpetrators of interpersonal violence—whom threaten, harm or kill animals in addition to human victims.
Through a growing body of research, we now know that animal cruelty can be an indicator—or red flag—for other forms of interpersonal violence, including domestic violence, child abuse and elder abuse. All too often, perpetrators manipulate the strong bond that many pet owners have with their animals, and pets are threatened, hurt or killed as a method of control and a form of emotional abuse. In cases of domestic violence, multiple studiesshow that 18-48% of battered women delay leaving abusive situations out of fear for their pets’ safety. Similarly, among older adults, animal abuse and neglect may be a warning sign of elder abuse, or a red flag for self-neglect, animal hoarding or other behavioral problems. In a 2000 study, 35% of adult protective service caseworkers reported their clients talked about pets being threatened, injured, killed or denied care. Furthermore, in a 2003 survey, 92% of adult protective service caseworkers found animal neglect co-existing with clients who were unable to care for themselves, and 75% of clients reporting concern for their pets’ welfare affected their decision on accepting intervention or other services.
During October’s National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, victim advocates, adult protective service caseworkers, animal control officers, and other first responders have a unique opportunity to raise awareness and develop multidisciplinary teams to prevent and respond to all forms of violence. Many communities across the countryhave already developed model programs involving interagency cross-training; inclusion of animal care and control representatives on family violence task forces; updating intake forms and risk/lethality assessments to include questions on the presence of pets in home and treatment of animals; and establishment of safe havensto temporarily house pets when domestic violence victims flee abusive homes. Additionally,state animal cruelty lawshave–and continue to be– strengthened as the link is recognized, and many statesnow allow pets to be included in domestic violence protective orders and/or require professionals in certain disciplines to report suspected animal cruelty. For communities interested in starting a program, the National Link Coalition serves as the National Resource Center on The Link between Animal Abuse and Human Violence, and provides training and technical assistance. As we kick-off DVAM, it is on all of us to collaborate to end all forms of family violence.
Article written by Claire Ponder Selib, Deputy Director of NOVA.