Crime Survivors And Justice Caucus Marks Annual Awards Ceremony During Crime Victims’ Rights Week

April 22, 2026
Press Release

WASHINGTON — This week, the bipartisan Crime Survivors and Justice Caucus, co-chaired by U.S. Representatives Jim Costa (CA-21) and Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06), held its 2026 Crime Survivors and Justice Caucus Awards Ceremony as a part of CommUNITY Day, recognizing individuals whose leadership and service have supported victims and survivors of crime, strengthened victim services, and advanced community safety across the country.

Held during National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, the annual event honored constituents from across the nation including survivors, advocates, allied professionals, and public officials.

“We are proud to recognize the individuals and organizations who have supported victims and families through some of the hardest moments of their lives,” said the co-chairs of the Crime Survivors and Justice Caucus. “From survivors sharing their stories, to advocates and professionals strengthening support systems, to leaders raising awareness and driving change, we are grateful for their efforts and will continue to stand with them as their work is making a real difference in people’s lives.”
 

AWARD RECIPIENTS

Members of Congress nominated 12 honorees from across the United States:

  • Oklahoma City Family Justice Center 
    Allied Professional Award 
    Nominated by Rep. Stephanie Bice (OK-05)

  • Lori’s Place
    Allied Professional Award 
    Nominated by Rep. Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06)

  • Family Healing Center
    Ed Stout Memorial Award for Outstanding Victim Advocacy 
    Nominated by Rep. Jim Costa (CA-21)

  • Bloom For Women 
    Ed Stout Memorial Award for Outstanding Victim Advocacy 
    Nominated by Rep. Ryan Mackenzie (PA-07)

  • Mary Fetchet 
    Eva Murillo Unsung Hero Award 
    Nominated by Rep. Jim Himes (CT-04)

  • Cameron Bertrand
    Eva Murillo Unsung Hero Award 
    Nominated by Rep. Robert “Bobby” Scott (VA-03)

  • Renee Williams
    Lois Haight Award of Excellence and Innovation 
    Nominated by Reps. Glenn Ivey (MD-04) and Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25)

  • Kristina Rose
    Lois Haight Award of Excellence and Innovation 
    Nominated by Rep. Jim Costa (CA-21)

  • National Association of VOCA Assistance Administrators 
    Suzanne McDaniel Memorial Award for Public Awareness 
    Nominated by Rep. Stephanie Bice (OK-04)

  • Californians for Safety & Justice
    Suzanne McDaniel Memorial Award for Public Awareness 
    Nominated by Rep. Lateefah Simon (CA-12)

  • Maria Fuentes
    Suzanne McDaniel Memorial Award for Public Awareness 
    Nominated by Rep. Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06)

  • Police Chief Stephanie Price
    Ted Poe Award for Excellence by a Public Official 
    Nominated by Rep. Nancy Mace (SC-01)

 

ABOUT THE AWARDS

Honoring the leadership and service of survivors, advocates, and professionals, the Crime Survivors and Justice Caucus annually issues six awards:

  • Allied Professional Award: Honors an individual, organization, or coalition that is not a direct victim service provider but has made an exceptional contribution to victims and survivors through allied fields such as criminal or juvenile justice, health, mental health, faith communities, academia and education, or civic leadership—demonstrating leadership and creativity in connecting systems to better serve victims.

  • Eva Murillo Unsung Hero Award: Honors a crime victim or survivor who has experienced a personal tragedy and triumphed over adversity, using their experience to advance public education, public awareness, policy development, and greater understanding of victims’ rights and needs, offering hope to other survivors. 

  • Ed Stout Memorial Award for Outstanding Victim Advocacy: Recognizes a professional, volunteer, or organization whose efforts directly benefit victims and survivors of crime, including innovations in victim assistance and services, program development, policy change, public awareness, and collaboration among community and justice-based partners. 

  • Lois Haight Award of Excellence and Innovation: Recognizes a professional whose work has had a significant impact on public policy development and implementation—at the local, state, national, or international level—advancing dignity, respect, rights, and services for victims of crime through innovative and lasting change. 

  • Suzanne McDaniel Memorial Award for Public Awareness: Honors an individual or organization that has used their voice through media and public platforms to elevate the needs of crime victims and survivors and promote national awareness and change to advance victims’ rights and services. 

  • Ted Poe Award for Excellence by a Public Official: Recognizes a public official for whom public service is a calling, and who demonstrates a strong commitment to victims’ rights and services, community safety, and violence reduction through both actions and words.
     

ABOUT THE CRIME SURVIVORS AND JUSTICE CAUCUS

Founded in 2005 by former Rep. Ted Poe and Rep. Jim Costa, the Crime Survivors and Justice Caucus (formerly the Victims’ Rights Caucus) works in a bipartisan manner to identify, address, and elevate the needs of crime victims and survivors and communities affected by crime, while respecting due process and the rights of the accused. For more than two decades, the Caucus has helped protect and strengthen critical programs supporting victim services nationwide, including the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) and the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), and has served as a resource to Members and communities impacted by mass violence.

To view photos of the event click HERE.
To watch the full event click HERE.

Crime Survivors and Justice Caucus logo