Van Hollen Receives Award From Wisconsin Victim/Witness Professionals Association

MADISON - Today Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen received one of two Victim Service Awards from the Wisconsin Victim/Witness Professionals Association (WVWP) at their 20th annual conference at the Country Springs Hotel in Waukesha. Awards are given out in the categories of Professional, Law Enforcement, Business/Organization, Citizen, and Victim Service Provider. Van Hollen was awarded the Professional Victim's Service Award along with Assistant District Attorney Jerilyn Dietz of Manitowoc County. The awards are given to those who have provided above average support to crime victims, especially in the promotion of fair treatment to victims.

"The Victim/Witness program of the Department of Justice has benefitted from working closely with the Wisconsin Victim/Witness Professionals Association," said Van Hollen during his remarks as the ceremony's keynote speaker. "The Wisconsin Department of Justice and WVWP share a mission to provide meaningful services and rights to victims of crime."

Van Hollen credited the WVWP with taking the lead, with DOJ support, to establish the victim/witness credential to support and enhance the professionalism of individuals working in victim/witness programs statewide. This process was recognized as essential to victim/witness services given the demands and expertise required of victim/witness staff to ensure that victims receive services and rights that they are entitled to receive. The first credentials granted by the WVWP Association were given out in 2007.