California Crime Victims Assistance Association-CCVAA

Home
United States
Riverside, CA
California Crime Victims Assistance Association-CCVAA

CCVAA Training is committed to advancing excellence in victim services across the state of California.

We offer a range of learning opportunities designed to meet mandated training requirements of Victim/Witness Advocates & advocate for victims' rights.

09/04/2026

This week, Victim Services Directors and leaders from across California convened at the 2026 CDAA/CDAIA Joint Conference: Advancing Justice, where CCVAA held its Annual Meeting and CDAA Victim Services Training Track.

This important statewide gathering provided a valuable forum to share organizational updates, engage in strategic planning, advance leadership development, and strengthen collaboration among those leading victim services throughout the criminal justice system in California. We were also honored to hear from our key statewide partners at the California Victim Compensation Board (CalVCB) and the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), whose partnership and perspective remain integral to the work of our field.

CCVAA extends its sincere appreciation to CDAA for hosting our association and providing a distinguished forum in which to conduct this important work and new training. We are grateful for the continued partnership and for the opportunity to ensure victim services remains an integral part of the broader conversation about advancing justice in California.

We leave this year’s conference with renewed purpose, strengthened partnerships, and a shared commitment to advancing excellence in victim services across our state.
California Victim Compensation Board

08/03/2026

🌟 Trainer Spotlight: Mariam El‑menshawi 🌟
We are honored to highlight Mariam El‑menshawi, one of our exceptional trainers for the 40‑Hour Entry Level Victim Advocate Training. Mariam brings an extraordinary depth of expertise, leadership, and compassion to every session—empowering new advocates with the knowledge and confidence they need to support victims across California.
Mariam is the Chief of the Office of Victim and Survivor Rights and Services at the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and an Adjunct Professor of Law. From 2012–2024, she served as the Executive Director and Managing Attorney of the California Victims Legal Resource Center, where her advocacy and impact stretched statewide.
With a joint JD–MBA from McGeorge School of Law, Mariam discovered her passion for victims’ rights as a law student—working directly with victims and conducting research that sparked a lifelong commitment. She has dedicated her entire career to helping crime victims understand their rights and navigate the criminal justice system with dignity and support.

07/27/2026

CCVAA recently graduated victim advocates from across California in Sacramento for our 24-Hour Advanced Victim Advocate Training.

Our specialized training builds on the foundation of the 40-Hour Entry Level Academy, helping experienced advocates strengthen their skills to better serve victims and survivors.

This incredible group of advocates have a combined total of 145 years of work experience in the field of advocacy and are working hard to help victims of crime navigate through trauma and the criminal justice system everyday.

07/16/2026

Today, we're proud to unveil the new logo and refreshed brand identity of the California Crime Victims Assistance Association (CCVAA).

While our appearance has evolved, our mission remains exactly the same: strengthening Victim Witness Assistance Programs throughout California through high-quality training, collaboration, and professional development.

Every day, victim advocates serve as a vital bridge between victims, survivors, and the criminal justice system. They help individuals understand their rights, navigate complex legal processes, access critical resources, and ensure that victims' voices are heard with compassion and dignity. By investing in the education and development of advocates, we strengthen the systems that support victims during some of the most difficult moments of their lives and help build a more informed, trauma-responsive, and victim-centered criminal justice system throughout California.

06/30/2026

🎉 Another incredible week of learning, collaboration, and growth!
In June, CCVAA proudly graduated a new cohort of victim advocates from our 40-Hour Entry Level Victim Advocate Training in beautiful San Luis Obispo.

These dedicated advocates are now returning to their communities across California, prepared to walk alongside crime victims as they navigate the criminal justice process.

A heartfelt thank you to our gracious host, Family Care Center, for welcoming us and helping make this training a success.

We are also incredibly grateful to our outstanding guest presenters: ✨ Dan Dow, San Luis Obispo County District Attorney ✨ Rose Robinson, California Victim Compensation Board (CalVCB) ✨ The California Victim Resource Center (CVRC) & our lead trainers at NOVA.

Your expertise and commitment to victims' rights enriched the learning experience for every participant.

Congratulations to all of our graduates! Thank you for your commitment to ensuring crime victims across California have knowledgeable, compassionate advocates by their side.

California Victim Compensation Board b Victims of Crime Resource Center

06/01/2026

Advocacy doesn't stop at the basics—it grows with experience, leadership, and continued learning.

Hosted by , victim advocates from across California came together for CCVAA's 24-Hour Advanced Victim Advocate Training, designed to deepen knowledge and strengthen skills in specialized areas of victim services.

Participants explored topics including:
🔹 Advanced safety planning 🔹 Effective communication strategies 🔹 Working within multidisciplinary teams 🔹 Supporting survivors with complex needs 🔹 Professional growth and resilience in advocacy

A special thank you to our outstanding trainers, Colleen Phelan and Maria Christina Pacheco from the National Organization for Victim Assistance (NOVA), for sharing their expertise and helping advocates elevate their practice.

05/27/2026

Early this month, CCVAA and proudly graduated 50 advocates from our California Penal Code §13835.10 mandated 40-Hour Entry Level Victim Advocate Training in Sacramento.

These newly trained advocates represent Victim Witness Assistance Centers from across California and will return to their communities equipped with new skills in trauma-informed advocacy, victims’ rights, crisis response, communication, and survivor-centered support.

Every advocate trained strengthens the statewide network of care in the criminal justice system to support crime victims, survivors and witnesses of crime.

Thank you to our volunteer & contributing organizations that helped us put on a great Sacramento training!
Rose Robinson
for hosting and supporting us with volunteer chaplains to help us practice crisis intervention skills
Gregory D. Totten, Chief Executive Officer
Mariam El-menshawi, Chief- Office of Victim and Survivor Rights and Services, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation

05/22/2026

Earlier this month, CCVAA proudly participated in the Second Annual Statewide Survivor Advocacy Day at the State Capitol alongside more than 150 survivors, advocates, public safety professionals, and community leaders from across California.

Our Board President, Melissa Donaldson had the honor of speaking during the event, highlighting the importance of statewide collaboration, survivor-centered advocacy, and continuing to elevate the voices of those impacted by crime.

We advocated and discussed victim rights and parole policies, fentanyl and DUI accountability, mental health diversion, and CDCR transparency, the conversations throughout the day reinforced one powerful truth: survivor voices matter.

Photos from
TraumaInformed PublicSafety HealingCentered AdvocacyMatters SurvivorVoices

04/24/2026

Since 1982, CCVAA has been at the forefront of victim advocacy—supporting all 58 Victim Witness Assistance Centers across California.

For over four decades, we’ve worked alongside advocates, agencies, and communities to strengthen a system that puts victims first.

We are proud to be the only criminal justice systems-based victim advocacy network uniting this work statewide:
🔹 56 centers within District Attorney’s Offices
🔹 1 center within Probation
🔹 1 center operated by a nonprofit

Together, we are building a stronger, more connected network of support for survivors.

✨ Get to know CCVAA
SupportSurvivors CriminalJustice AdvocateStrong TraumaInformed VictimWitness PublicService Since1982

04/23/2026

We need your voice! Victim Services needs your help.

More than 728 organizations have signed on urging the Senate to pass the Crime Victims Fund Stabilization Act.

The Crime Victims Fund supports life-saving services for survivors nationwide and it is nearing depletion. Without action, more programs may be forced to cut services, lay off staff, or close.

Add your voice. Stand with victims and survivors. Support passage of the CVFSA.

Take action today:
Read and share the letter: https://hubs.la/Q04d5njY0
Contact your Senators: https://hubs.la/Q04d5m940

Address

3960 Orange St Ste 500
Riverside, CA
92501

Website

https://ccvaatraining.talentlms.com/plus/programs

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when California Crime Victims Assistance Association-CCVAA posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Want your organization to be the top-listed Non Profit Organization in Riverside?