Goodwin
CHARLESTON –- U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin spoke Tuesday during the fourth annual West Virginia Victim Assistance Academy held at Coonskin Park in Charleston.
Goodwin commended the crime victim advocates and service providers for the outstanding and tireless work that they perform each day.
"A conviction is not the end of the story for crime victims," Goodwin said. "All too often horrific crimes leave behind shattered lives with feelings of hurt, sadness, violation, anger, and you, as gifted advocates, are thankfully there to help those victims pick up the pieces."
Goodwin's address to Victim Assistance Academy advocates also reflected on the tragedy of Sept. 11, 2001.
"Today, we remember the victims, their families, and the heroes who stood up during one of our country's darkest moments," he said. "And every day, through your service, you show that America's sense of common purpose so evident in the aftermath of September 11 was not a fleeting moment, but a lasting virtue -- not just on one day, but every day."
The West Virginia Victim Assistance Academy is a set of courses designed to provide education on victims' rights and victim services. The weeklong academy will provide essential training for crime victim service providers and allied professionals who assist the needs of crime victims throughout West Virginia.
The state's Victim Assistance Academy, much like training academies held in 34 other states, is modeled after the National Victim Assistance Academy.
Victim Assistance Academy partners include U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of West Virginia; Federal Bureau of Investigation; West Virginia Coalition Against Domestic Violence; West Virginia Foundation for Rape Information and Services; West Virginia Division of Corrections; West Virginia Prosecuting Attorney's Institute; West Virginia Court Appointed Special Advocates; and West Virginia Sheriff's Association.