National Crime Victims' Rights Week 2025
Since 1981, National Crime Victims' Rights Week (NCVRW) has challenged the Nation to confront and remove barriers to achieving justice for all victims of crime. During NCVRW, we recognize the accomplishments of the victims' rights movement and reflect on how far we've come.
Every April, the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) leads communities throughout the country in their annual observances of NCVRW. In 2025, we will observe NCVRW on April 6-12, with the theme -
Connecting < KINSHIP > Healing
This year's theme of KINSHIP is a call-to-action to recognize that shared humanity should be at the center of supporting all survivors and victims of crime. KINSHIP is a state of being with survivors that drives vital connections and increases access to services, rights, and healing. KINSHIP is where victim advocacy begins.
NCVRW 2025 Workshop and Crime Victim Service Awards Ceremony
We're thrilled to announce this year's NCVRW event at the Capitol Plaza Hotel in Montpelier, VT! Join us on Friday, April 11th 2025 as we honor and recognize victims/survivors, organizations, advocates, and other professionals throughout Vermont.
Friday, April 11th Agenda:
- 9:30 - 10:00: Check-in and Welcome (Registration Only)
- 10:00 - 12:00: Workshop with Ashley Bendiksen: 'Kinship and Connection: Empowering Victims as Thriving Survivors' (Registration Only)
- 12:00 - 1:00: Lunch & Raffle (Registration Only)
- 1:00 - 1:30: Keynote: 'Honoring Senator Richard Sears'
- 1:30 - 3:30: The 2025 Vermont Crime Victim Service Awards Ceremony
- The keynote and awards ceremony are both open to the public and no registration is required.
Meet the 2025 NCVRW Workshop Leader: Ashley Bendiksen! 
Ashley is an acclaimed survivor speaker, award-winning activist, and expert trainer on domestic violence, teen dating violence, sexual assault, and resilience. Her impact spans 15+ years speaking to schools and universities, law enforcement, first responders, the military, workplaces, and major conferences.
Ashley's remarkable story builds connection and hope while her expertise drives prevention, improved response, and advocacy for tangible, lasting change.
Learn more about Ashley and her work here!
NCVRW Community Listening Forum
In addition to the Workshop and Awards Ceremony on Friday, April 11th, we will also be holding the second NCVRW Community Listening Forum on Monday, April 7th from 5:30 - 7:00 PM.
This forum will be held in Montpelier and its purpose is to amplify and empower victim/survivor voices while also engaging and building connection with the community.
