2025 Outstanding Victim Advocate Nomination

ELIGIBILITY:

System based advocates working within (or closely partnering with) prosecutor offices, the AG’s Office, and law enforcement offices serving crime victims in Utah.

A minimum of 5-years in victim services (or a documented history of exceptional impact within a shorter period).

Accomplishments may reflect actions taken primarily in 2025 but can include exemplary work over the course of the nominee’s career as a system based victim advocate/coordinator.

NOMINATION CRITERIA

Please provide a statement explaining why the nominee is deserving of the award detailing qualities such as, but not limited to:

DIRECT VICTIM SERVICES

• Provides empathetic, culturally responsive, survivor‑centered support.
• Keeps victims informed, prepared, and safe throughout the process.

TRAUMA INFORMED COMMUNICATION

• Personal and professional conduct is consistent with trauma‑informed practices (e.g., survivor‑centered communication, timely updates, safeguarding privacy).
• Demonstrates excellence in trauma‑informed communication and navigation of medical/forensic processes.

CASE IMPACT AND OUTCOMES

• Direct contributions to advancing significant cases (e.g. assisting with witness testimony, successful resolutions, assisting victims through the process, meaningful victim outcomes).

PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATION

• Designs or implements new protocols, tools, or services that raise quality and consistency of victim support (e.g., interview protocols, tracking systems, outreach materials).
• Evidence of adoption by partner agencies or replication across jurisdictions.

COLLABORATION

• Builds bridges among prosecutors, law enforcement, service providers, and courts to reduce friction for victims.

PROFESSIONALISM AND ETHICS

• Upholds confidentiality and ethical practice; demonstrates respect for diverse identities and lived experiences.
• Reflects the “do the right thing for the right reason” ethos.

SELECTION PROCESS

UPC’s Award Selection Committee will consider all nominees.

The Award Selection Committee reserves the right to select multiple recipients.

The Award Selection Committee will contact the nominee’s employer as part of the selection process.

If this nominee is not selected, the Award Selection Committee will notify the nominee they have been nominated for this award.