|
|
| |
| Wed, Dec. 3, 2008 |  |
 |
|
||
| |
New program to train providers of assistance to crime victims Tuesday, Apr 24, 2007 By Rob Moritz Arkansas News Bureau LITTLE ROCK - The University of Arkansas at Little Rock will use a $195,000 federal grant to establish a statewide Arkansas Victim Assistance Academy, officials said Monday. The program, to be modeled after a national project, will provide training for people who work regularly with crime victims. "This will be the first week-long professional training ... for those of you who work in the field on a daily basis," said Mary Parker, chairman of the UALR Criminal Justice Department, announcing the grant award during a ceremony opening Arkansas Crime Victims' Rights Week. "It's critical because it will be the first time that we will be able to offer professional training solely to victim service providers," Parker said in an interview. About 100 people attended the ceremony at the Arkansas Criminal Justice Institute, part of the University of Arkansas system. The academy will be available beginning in the summer of 2008, Parker said. Twenty-three other states and the territory of Puerto Rico already have such programs. Arkansas recently was awarded funding, along with Iowa and Virginia. Attorney General Dustin McDaniel and Rep. Dawn Creekmore, D-Hensley, attended and spoke at Monday's event, hosted by the Crime Victims Assistance Association of Arkansas. Among those honored was Steve Brantley of Monticello, who has been involved with the Arkansas chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving since his 1996, when a drunk driver killed his wife, Patricia. Teresa Belew, executive director of MADD, said Brantley, who has four children, has been involved in numerous anti-drunken driving programs and recently spoke about teen drinking at an event at Monticello High School. During the event at the high school, a fatal car wreck was recreated to show the dangers of drinking and driving. Also honored Monday was State Trooper Scott Baxter, who was critically injured last year in a car wreck following a high-speed chase in Pulaski and Saline counties. Baxter attended the event and spoke briefly about his friendships and recovery. During the recent legislative session, the lawmakers passed a measure known as the Corporal Scott Baxter Law. Act 1047 increases the penalty classification for a first-degree battery to a Class Y felony if the victim is a law enforcement officer acting the line of duty. The bill was sponsored by Sen. Shane Broadway, D-Bryant. |
