Survivors Council

​​​​​​​The Survivors Council advises and assists the Office of the Attorney General on matters related to victims of crime, including but not limited to awareness initiatives; training efforts; and publications, policy, and legislative initiatives. Its purpose is to ensure that these efforts are victim-centered, effective and responsive to the needs of diverse victims.

What does it mean to be victim-centered?

The Federal Office of Victims of Crime defines a victim-centered approach as one which seeks to minimize retraumatization associated with the criminal justice process by:

• Providing the support of victim advocates and service providers;
• Empowering survivors as engaged participants in the process;
• Providing survivors an opportunity to play a role in seeing their offenders brought to justice.
   

What is the structure of the Council?

The Executive Director of the Office of Victims Advocacy facilitates meetings of the Survivors Council. The Council meets quarterly (four times a year) in Frankfort at the Office of the Attorney General, and members are appointed for up to a two-year term.

Meeting Schedule

Does the Council provide any services to the public?

Many members of the Survivors Council are available to provide speaking, training, and technical assistance to agencies. Topics include but are not limited to: child abuse awareness; human trafficking; child marriage; speak out support workshops for survivors of sexual exploitation and abuse; phases of victim-grooming (recognizing the signs); grief and bereavement training; bullying and cyberbullying; self-care; campus sexual assault; non-profit and law enforcement collaboration; learning from a survivor-led organization; best practices for communities and survivors of mass shooting; Darkness to Light; Stewards of Children; linking child sexual abuse to the life-altering effects of adult survivors; strength-based soul care for adult survivors—a faith-based, trauma-informed response to abuse in the church; childhood trauma- trauma-sensitive schools; trauma-informed care; Title IX; and dating violence/sexual assault. To request training or a speaker, contact the Office of Victims Advocacy at 502- 696-5312.