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Victim Assistance Advisory Council
(VAAC)
The Mayor's Victim Assistance Advisory Council (VAAC) coordinates and encourages cooperative efforts among social service, criminal justice, mental health and other agencies to provide assistance to crime victims and their families.
The Council is composed of a chair and 26 members appointed by the mayor and confimed by the City Council. Members serve terms of three years each. The 27 members represent a cross-section of representatives of community mental health, social services, criminal justice, education, the medical profession, crime victims and their advocates, and members of the general public.
Duties and Responsibilities
To coordinate and encourage cooperative efforts among social services, criminal justice, mental health and other agencies and persons (public and private) whose purpose is to provide assistance to crime victims, their families and/or their significant others.
To be a forum for discussing, studying, reviewing and considering from time to time, the community's needs; to make recommendations for improvements to existing city and/or other community services for crime victims, or for the establishment of essential, necessary and comprehensive services or service linkages where none yet exists.
To plan, sponsor and conduct conferences, seminars, and other special events concerning victim rights, crime prevention, child abuse, domestic violence, sexual assault, survivors of homicide, and the victimization of others, including the elderly and minorities.
Mayor’s Victim Assistance Advisory Council Survivor Scholarship
Purpose
Survivors of crime often struggle to rebuild their lives and regain a sense of dignity after the victimization. This scholarship is designed to recognize and assist individuals in achieving self-efficacy by furthering their goal of achieving an education. The Survivor Scholarship is funded by proceeds from the annual Victims Rights’ Luncheon and is awarded to a resident of Jacksonville, Florida who has been impacted by crime.
Eligibility
This scholarship provides financial support and encouragement to an individual who is either a primary or secondary survivor of a violent crime (Including, but not limited to, homicide, aggravated assault/battery, sexual violence, domestic/dating violence and stalking) or family member of a missing person.
Other criteria include:
- Current Duval County resident
- Victimization or missing status must have occurred in Jacksonville, Florida (Duval County)
- Currently accepted or enrolled in a college/university or career school with satisfactory achievement (in good standing)
The scholarships can be used for tuition assistance, room and board support, books and supplies at accredited two and four-year colleges and universities and recognized career (trade, technical or vocational) schools. The funds will be dispersed directly to the educational institution for the next term.
The Scholarship recipient will be acknowledged during the Victims’ Rights Week Luncheon.
Download VAAC Survior Scholarship 2024 Application Form
Submit completed applications by 5:00 p.m., Thursday, March 14, 2024
Via U.S. Mail to:
City of Jacksonville
Attn: Survivor Scholarship
Mayor’s Victim Assistance Advisory Council
1809 Art Museum Drive, Suite 100
Jacksonville, Florida 32207
Via email to:
Attn: Survivor
vaac@coj.net
Direct questions to Kyra Williams at (904) 255-3321 or Vaac@coj.net.
Victim's Right Week Annual Awards 2024
Survivor Voices: Elevate. Engage. Effect Change.
The Mayor’s Victim Assistance Advisory Council (VAAC) will sponsor the annual observation of National Victims’ Rights Week in Jacksonville, FL. Individuals and organizations that have demonstrated outstanding achievements above and beyond their daily responsibilities on behalf of crime victims and victims’ rights will be recognized. VAAC will present victims’ rights awards in the following categories:
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COURAGEOUS VICTIM – A victim of crime who has shown the courage to speak out and make a difference regarding fair treatment of victims in the criminal justice system and in our community.
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OUTSTANDING VICTIM ADVOCATE – A person or organization that has demonstrated excellence, compassion, and dedication in working for the welfare of victims, improvement of victims’ services, and protection of victims’ rights.
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JUDICIAL VICTIM ADVOCATE – An individual (prosecutor, judge, or other judicial professional) who has demonstrated sensitivity and responsiveness to victims’ rights.
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LAW ENFORCEMENT VICTIM ADVOCATE – An individual (police officer, correctional officer or other professional) who has demonstrated sensitivity and responsiveness to victims’ rights.
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MEDIA – An individual, corporation or organization that has demonstrated respect for the dignity of victims of crime and sensitivity to victim issues.
The VAAC Awards Committee will select one recipient for each award category. Award recipients will be honored during the Annual Victims’ Rights Week Awards Luncheon on Tuesday, April 25, 2023, at 12:00 p.m. Nominators may be contacted for additional information and/or to present the awards.
Download the Crime Victims' Rights Week Award 2024 Nomination Form
Submit completed nominations by 5:00 p.m., Thursday, March 14, 2024
Via U.S. Mail to:
City of Jacksonville
Attn: VRW Awards Nominations
Mayor’s Victim Assistance Advisory Council
1809 Art Museum Drive, Suite 100
Jacksonville, Florida 32207
Via email to:
Attn: VRW Awards Nominations
vaac@coj.net
Direct questions to Kyra Williams at (904) 255-3321 or Vaac@coj.net.
Upcoming Events
2024 Victims’ Right’s Week Scholarship & Awards Luncheon
SAVE THE DATE: April 23, 2024
Main Library |Jacksonville, FL
For inquiries contact: vaac@coj.net or 904-255-3321
*More details to follow*
Check out all of the events scheduled for National Victims’ Rights Week - April 21-27, 2024
Contact Us
JMoore@coj.net
(904) 255-3322
Johnnetta Moore