Putting Victims First is a statewide conference for direct service providers working with victims of crime. This conference provides education, training, and networking opportunities for those on the frontlines in victim services. National and state leaders on victim's issues share technical expertise, motivation, legislation updates and legal knowledge to continue the work. Techniques and tools you can use continue to encourage those working with victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, elder abuse, child abuse as well as homicide victims' family members. The participants consist of rape crisis and domestic violence centers staff and volunteers, victim assistance coordinators from DA's offices, child abuse agencies, social workers, counselors, survivors, law enforcement personnel and other victim advocates.

Putting Victims First Conference - Overview

The following information about the conference may be helpful to you.

• MS Coalition Against Sexual Assault, MS Coalition Against Domestic Violence and the MS Department of Public Safety, Division of Public Safety Planning for the past seven years has sponsored Putting Victims First conference, along with the MS State Department of Health, MS Crime Victim Compensation and Jackson State University.  The purpose of the conference is to provide education, training and networking opportunities to those who provide direct services for victims of crimes.
  
  
• The MS Department of Public Safety Planning provides Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) funding and Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) funds for the conference.  The MS Coalition Against Sexual Assault (MCASA), an organization of eight Mississippi rape crisis centers, is located at 510 George Street, Ste. 400, Jackson, MS.  Its mission is to support rape crisis centers and assist in educating the public and eradicate sexual assault/abuse in Mississippi.  Mississippi Coalition Against Domestic Violence (MCADV), composed of ten Mississippi domestic violence shelters, office is at 5425 Executive Place.  Its mission is to educate Mississippians about domestic violence issues.  The two coalitions work jointly with a Conference Planning Committee to host this conference with other disciplines and community collaborations.
  
  
• The participants of the conference include: social workers, victim assistance coordinators, homicide survivor service providers, rape crisis centers staff and volunteers, domestic abuse shelter staff and volunteers, counselors, some law enforcement, healthcare professionals and educators.  Social Work Units (SWUs) are provided by Jackson State University, School of Social Work for conference participants. 

PROJECTED IMPACT:

1. Service providers will gain valuable information resources and action taken by agencies and personnel outside of Mississippi in dealing with victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, and child abuse, homicide and other violent crimes.  As a result, their ability to better provide victims in Mississippi with quality support and services
2. Service providers will become acquainted with other agencies and service providers within the state,, thus offering a networking opportunity to allow discussion and exchange of ideas and programs within the state.
3. Service providers will be knowledgeable in new methods and can effect change when dealing with law enforcement and medical service providers who deliver services to victims.
4. Service providers will be better equipped to serve on multi-disciplinary committees to affect change within the criminal justice system - giving victims a greater voice in criminal proceedings.
5. Service providers will bring the conference information back to the agency to share with other providers to continue the work toward ending violence in their community.
6. Encourage to put better screening processes in place, build community partnerships and to treat the whole person, including mind, body and spirit.
7. Inspired to continue the work toward ending violence through their agencies, organizations and communities.

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