Victim-Centered Programs
The Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC) provides programs that help victims give a voice to their experiences and aid in the healing process. Learn more about the:
Victim Centered Awareness Programs
Victim-Centered Awareness Programs: Within the Virginia Department of Corrections, Victim Centered Awareness Programs and Commemorations, including National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, are designed to deepen understanding of the impact of crime among staff, the individuals we supervise, and the communities we serve.
These initiatives support healing, recognition, and resilience for crime victims while also reinforcing the Department’s commitment to trauma informed practices. Awareness programming also plays a vital role in shaping the perspective of the inmate and probationer population. Through exposure to real world stories, educational activities, and events that emphasize the human consequences of crime, participants are encouraged to develop empathy, accountability, and a greater understanding of the harm caused by their past actions. This approach supports personal growth and responsibility, helping individuals work toward repairing relationships and rebuilding trust within the communities they once harmed. Together, these efforts ensure that victim awareness is not limited to external community outreach but is woven throughout the Department’s culture—reaching staff, those under supervision, and victims alike as part of a unified commitment to safety, healing, and restorative progress.
National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, April 19 – 25, 2026
2026 Color ME Aware Campaign
Each year during National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW), VADOC participates in the Color ME Aware campaign—a weeklong initiative that assigns a specific color to each day to raise awareness about and honor victims of different types of crime. By encouraging staff, community partners, and the public to wear these colors throughout the week, Color ME Aware creates visible unity and promotes conversation about the diverse experiences of victims and the services available to support them. Community participants may also connect with the Services Unit at victimservices@vadoc.virginia.gov for resources, shareable materials, and opportunities to engage more deeply in the campaign.
6th Annual Show of Support 5K April 25, 2026.
Join us for the 6th Annual NCVRW 5K as we come together to honor crime victims and survivors, recognize the achievements of victim service professionals, and renew our shared commitment to supporting every person impacted by crime.
The event will be held on:
Saturday, April 25, 2026
10:00 a.m.
Bisset Park
49 Berkley Williams Dr.
Radford, VA 24141
Registration is now open. All community members are welcome to participate. During the event, local partner agencies—including the Women’s Resource Center, VADOC Victim Services, and Radford/Floyd Victim Witness, the Community Health Center, and others—will be on site to provide information, resources, and support services. The NCVRW 5K is a meaningful way to show solidarity with victims and survivors while raising awareness about the ongoing need for compassion, advocacy, and community action. You can register in two ways In-Person Registration or by Virtual Registration
Victim Impact Program and Guest Speaker Program
We provide several voluntary speaking opportunities to crime victims and survivors that can support the healing process.
View printable brochures of the Victim Impact Program and Guest Speaker Program.
Why Victims Participate
As a crime victim or survivor, speaking can empower you and give a voice to your experiences.
Inmates, probationers, and parolees gain more from a guest speaker than they are able to through reading, discussing, or watching videos. Hearing from a crime victim or survivor who took the time to come to the class to speak reaches them in a way other methods simply cannot.
Victims and survivors offer a personal and real education. Many inmates, probationers, and parolees have not considered the full impact of their actions.
Speaking Opportunities
If you are interested in participating in any of the speaking opportunities below, please contact our staff to apply.
Victim Impact Program
This program needs victim and survivor voices to help inmates, probationers, and parolees understand the “ripple effect” of their crimes on victims, survivors, and the community. The goal is to make them more aware of the consequences of their crimes and encourage greater accountability for their actions.
The program focuses on the four major impact areas of crime: physical, emotional, financial, and religious/spiritual. Some speakers find it helpful to use this framework to discuss the many ways the crime has affected their lives.
If you want to speak but are not sure where to start, our team can help you. For more information about this program, please visit the Office for Victims of Crime Training and Technical Assistance Center's website.
Watch the following video to learn more about the Victim Impact Program.
Staff Training and Events
There are also opportunities to share your story at staff trainings and events. Whether staff are preparing to facilitate Victim Impact or are attending other training, guest speakers can assist staff in understanding an important perspective of crime and criminal justice.
Guest Speaker Support
We take several measures to ensure guest speakers feel comfortable and safe when they volunteer to share their experiences:
- We will take care not to bring you into a facility in which the offender in your case is located.
- We will not reveal your personal information, nor the identity of the offender in your case.
- You will be accompanied and have staff support at all times.
- Entering a prison facility will involve security screenings in advance and at the facility. This process varies from one facility to another.
Victim-Offender Dialogue
Victim-Offender Dialogue (VOD) is a victim-centered, confidential meeting between a victim/survivor and the offender who committed the crime against them or their immediate family member.
View a printable brochure about this program.
Why Victims Participate
As a victim/survivor, a VOD enables you to voice the pain and trauma you have experienced in a safe setting, and obtain answers and information only the offender will know. Offenders are able to listen and understand the harm they caused, take full responsibility, and recognize the effects of their actions.
A VOD is not about forgiveness or reconciliation. While forgiveness may occur, that decision is left to you, the victim/survivor.
Inmates receive no special privileges for participating in a VOD. It does not impact their sentence, parole, or any other incarceration status.
How it Works
Learn more about the steps involved in a Victim-Offender Dialogue.
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As a victim/survivor, you can initiate a VOD.
If you request a VOD, the Victim Services Unit staff will prepare the case for the Department of Corrections to review. If your request is approved and the offender agrees, a trained facilitator is assigned to the VOD. Offenders cannot request a VOD.
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The VOD process is voluntary.
You or the offender may choose to stop the process at any time. Participating in the preparation process does not guarantee a dialogue will happen. Offenders rarely discontinue once they agree. At times, victims/survivors process their feelings during the preparation phase and decide they don’t need do the VOD.
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A VOD requires extensive preparation.
Over several months, a trained facilitator meets with you and the offender separately to prepare for the actual meeting. The facilitator’s role is to build trust with you and the offender. This enables both parties to feel safe and comfortable, leading to a successful dialogue.
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A one-time VOD meeting is scheduled when the facilitator and participants are ready.
It will take place at the facility where the offender is assigned.
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The facilitator offers separate follow-up meetings
to you and the offender several weeks after the dialogue.
