The CVAA will be modeled on the curriculum established by OVC for use in the National Victim Assistance Academy. The purpose of the Academy is to provide basic victim advocacy training to people working with victims of crime. The curriculum embraces the entire scope of victim services, and has been enhanced to address unique and specific issues in Colorado. The 2001 Colorado Academies will serve as the pilots for what we hope will be an on-going training opportunity for professionals and volunteers around the state.
Victims of crime have many specific and special needs.
As services for victims have expanded, the need for specialized training has become more and more apparent. Most in-house training programs address the specificity of the agency or department. Many advocates find that the real work of providing victim services requires a broad knowledge base and skill set in order to intervene effectively on behalf of the victim. CVAA will provide a base of knowledge regarding the criminal justice system, victim rights, and specific types of victims through the NVAA curriculum. CVAA will address issues unique to rural Colorado and provide skill-based, experiential training addressing the types of victimology seen most often by victim advocates.