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Gaps & Opportunities: A Virtual Roundtable to Discuss Victims’ Rights during COVID-19

  • 26 May 2020
  • 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
  • Virtual / Zoom link to be provided to registrants
  • 0

Registration

The Virginia Victim Assistance Network’s Legal Services Program is pleased to announce our upcoming free event:

GAPS & OPPORTUNITIES:

A VIRTUAL ROUNDTABLE TO DISCUSS VICTIMS’ RIGHTS DURING COVID-19”

This event will be a facilitated discussion regarding victims’ rights during the current COVID-19 pandemic. Victim advocates will have the chance to share their experiences in and outside of the courtroom. Together, we will discuss new trends, identify barriers and gaps in victim services, and share creative strategies used to meet the safety and rights of crime victims during this unprecedented time.

The participants will also have a chance to meet VVAN’S new Legal Services team and hear about the work we are doing to support victims, both in these current times and the future.

Who Should Attend:

This discussion is designed for victim assistance professionals working in the criminal justice system including Victim/Witness advocates, attorneys, commonwealth attorneys, community-based legal advocates, and more.

Optional Survey:

The optional pre-discussion survey is a chance for participants to share valuable information that may help shape the course of the conversation. This survey may also be completed by victim advocates and professionals who are unable to attend the meeting but would still like to contribute to this discussion. Additionally, this survey may be used by participants to share information anonymously. We thank you for taking the time to complete it: https://forms.gle/w7EbhRM55WtSkpTF8

About the Virtual Platform:

This meeting will be held virtually on Zoom. Participants will have the option to either dial in or participate using the Zoom platform. Personal email log-ins for individuals unable to connect to Zoom through their work email or computer will be accepted. VVAN will take appropriate measures to ensure the privacy and security of this conversation.

Registration:

Open: Thursday, May 14, 2020

Closes: Monday, May 25, 2020

About the Hosts:

Sarika Reuben, Victim Services Attorney, advocates for and provides legal counsel to crime victims throughout Virginia. She joined VVAN with a diverse background in public interest work, including serving indigent clients facing criminal charges as a public defender for the City of Richmond and assisting legal aid clients on a wide range of civil matters. Sarika has a BA from William & Mary and earned her law degree from the University of Virginia. She is excited about the opportunities the new legal services program presents for criminal justice advocacy and reform.

Sarah Okolita, Legal Services Coordinator, has supported and uplifted rural survivors of domestic and sexual violence as a professional advocate for nearly ten years. She is excited to serve victims and survivors of all crimes across the Commonwealth as the Network's Legal Services Coordinator. She received a BA from the University of Massachusetts, Boston, and a Master of Social Work from Virginia Commonwealth University.

Questions:  Please contact Sarah Okolita at sarah.okolita@vanetwork.org