Gov. Bob McDonnell declared Friday as “Victim Advocate Day” during the graduate services of the third class of the Virginia Victim Assistance Academy at the University of Richmond.

Addressing the graduates, McDonnell remarks, “You are to be commended not only for your professional dedication to improving your knowledge and skills as victim advocates, but for your commitment to responding more effectively to the needs of crime victims. You have gained valuable information, not only from the faculty of the academy, but also from your fellow students. Your experiences at this academy will benefit crime victims for many years to come.”

The intensive five-day academy was held July 26 to July 30 on the University of Richmond campus. It is a unique professional course of study that provides 36-hours of comprehensive, academic, interdisciplinary and interactive training for crime victims’ service providers, allied professionals and others who work with crime victims.

The tested curriculum provides a foundation of victims’ services and principles to enable participants to more effectively help crime victims regain control of their lives.

McDonnell continues, “The academy provides an excellent foundation in the principles and policies of victims’ rights. It also confers knowledge, resources, and practical skills to victim advocates, which allow them to improve their responses and services to crime victims.”

Faculty members, who teach the skills-based victim centered curriculum, include staff from the Department of Criminal Justice Services, the University of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University and the Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund. Other faculty members include prosecutors, law enforcement officials, crime victims, and victims’ services providers.

The Virginia Victim Assistance Academy is co-sponsored by DCJS, the University of Richmond, the Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund, and the Family and Children’s Trust Fund.

Virginia is one of 36 states developing or presenting State Victim Assistance Academies. Such academies are modeled after the National Victim Assistance Academy and differ in that they provide state-specific training in victims’ issues.

Virginia’s first two academies were held in 2008 and 2009. They were very successful training courses.