Justice Department Honors Tennessee Woman for Her Service to Victims of Crime and Their Families

Today, the Department of Justice recognized Tina L. Fox, State Director of Victim Services for the Tennessee Board of Parole, with the National Crime Victim Service Award during the annual National Crime Victims’ Service Awards ceremony in Washington, D.C.

“Through her newsletter, her toll-free hotline, and in so many other ways, Tina Fox has helped countless crime survivors throughout Tennessee,” Attorney General Sessions said. “I want to add my voice to theirs in thanking Ms. Fox for her extraordinary service.”

Fox has served as State Director of Victim Services for the Tennessee Board of Parole since January 2012. During this time, she has implemented statewide training for all victim coordinators, probation officers, parole officers, and board members; established a 1-800 number for victim services; coordinated National Crime Victims’ Rights Week and Tennessee Season to Remember commemorations; developed and distributed a monthly Victim Services Newsletter; and supported victims in the passage of legislation; and formed a statewide Victim’s Support Committee.

 “Ms. Fox’s work is making Tennessee a better place for those who tragically become victims of crime,” said Director of the Office for Victims of Crime Darlene Hutchinson. “The Department of Justice is proud to honor her remarkable contributions and her commitment to justice for all victims of crime.”

During today’s ceremony, the Justice Department recognized a dozen individuals and organizations for their outstanding efforts on behalf of victims of crime. Awardees were selected from public nominations in ten categories.

Each year in April, the Department of Justice observes National Crime Victims’ Rights Week by taking time to honor victims of crime and those who advocate on their behalf. In addition, the Justice Department and U.S. Attorney’s Offices organize events to honor the victims and advocates, as well as bring awareness to services available to victims of crime. This year’s observance takes place April 8-14, with the theme Expand the Circle: Reach All Victims.

The Department of Justice’s Office for Victims of Crime, within the Office of Justice Programs, leads communities across the country in observing National Crime Victims’ Rights Week each year. President Ronald Reagan proclaimed the first National Crime Victims’ Rights Week in 1981 to bring greater sensitivity to the needs and rights of victims of crime.

The Office of Justice Programs provides innovative leadership to federal, state, local, and tribal justice systems, by disseminating state-of-the art knowledge and practices across America, and providing grants for the implementation of these crime fighting strategies. Because most of the responsibility for crime control and prevention falls to law enforcement officers in states, cities, and neighborhoods, the federal government can be effective in these areas only to the extent that it can enter into partnerships with these officers. More information about the Office of Justice Programs and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov. More information about Crime Victim’s Rights Week can be found at https://ovc.ncjrs.gov/ncvrw/.