California Crime Victims Assistance Association-CCVAA

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

04/21/2026

National Crime Victims’ Rights Week is a time to honor survivors, uplift their voices, and recommit to building systems rooted in dignity, access, and justice.

At CCVAA, we stand alongside advocates across California working every day to ensure victims are heard, supported, and empowered.

03/26/2026

The California Crime Victims Assistance Association (CCVAA) has been supporting and advancing victim advocacy across California since 1983. For decades, we’ve worked alongside advocates, agencies, and partners to strengthen services for victims of crime.

Now, we’re expanding how we connect.

We’re launching our social media platforms and a new statewide newsletter to keep you informed, engaged, and connected to the work happening across the field. Check it all out here

Email from California Crime Victims Assistance Association May CCVAA News       California Crime Victims Assistance Association May 2026   Elevating Advocacy: Our Vision for What Comes Next Melissa Do