While child witnesses to domestic violence are not defined as victims, according to state laws, they do qualify for counseling benefits when their parent is a victim of the physical abuse. This is an improtant step in preventing the cycle of abuse from impacting the next generation. Contact 702-486-2740, Nevada State Victims of Crime Compensation to learn more about the program or to receive an application.

Earlier this year, the Southern Nevada Domestic Violence Task Force created an award to be presented during National Crime Victims’ Rights Week. The award, the S.T.A.R. Award was created to honor an individual or group of individuals who are stellar in their work on behalf of victims, tenacacious, awe inspiring and remarkable. The first recipient of this prestigious award is the Honorable Frank Sullivan, the chair of the Southern Nevada Domestic Violence Task Force. He was not selected because of his leadership, but because of everything else he does on behalf of the victims. He is truly and inspiration and a local hero to many!

We honor and congratulate Frank Sullivan. Since the inception of the Southern Nevada Domestic Violence Task Force, there have been so many great leaders and successes. This organization has been the driving force behind legislative change, education of police, prosecutors and advocates, and innovative data collection programs. It has been a process of learning and growing for all of the members.

The only shortcoming was the that the Task Force was generally isolated from other advocacy groups. Attempts to develop partnerships was not the primary focus, unless it was the partnerships within the field of domestic violence.

In recent years, that has changed in Southern Nevada. Under the leadership of the Honorable Frank Sullivan, the organization has established new partnerships and has welcomed a new and diverse group of members. He is the first person to recognize others outside of our organization for their efforts. His community outreach on behalf of the group, his strong leadership and his amazing energy have taken the Southern Nevada Domestic Violence Task to an entirely new level. We have truly become a community partner!

Under Frank Sullivan’s direction, the Task Force has had a strong showing at community events such as Take Back the Night at UNLV, community agency fairs, Victim Rights Week and the annual Channel 10 Candidate’s Night. He has generously supported groups such as Families of Murder Victims and the Community Coalition for Victims’ Rights, because as powerful advocacy groups in Southern Nevada, they represent the essence of the coordinated community response.

He was one of the first to step up to the plate when the Victim Services 2000, a partnership model for all victim services providers, was presented in Las Vegas. His commitment to unifying the groups has increased access to resources for both the victims and the service providers. In keeping with the playful spirit of Frank Sullivan, he has taught us to play nicely with others on the playground. More important, Frank Sullivan devotes a tremendous amount of his personal time to teaching teenagers how to live a violence free life, helping seniors to know their rights and teaching his peers about the dynamics of domestic violence. His many contributions have been an asset on all levels. Many victims have depended on him to help keep them safe. He took that one step further and reached out beyond the courts when he felt that the victims needed more than what his courts could provide. He gave several women educational opportunities and a chance to get additional support when they were most frustrated by the criminal and civil justice systems. His recognition of their situations and refusal to hide behind his robe make him a hero. Frank Sullivan has been working directly in the field of domestic violence since December, 2000, when he forst was appointed to the 8th Judicial District Courts. His accomplishments, and more important, impact, can be felt today. He has set the standard for those who proceed him on the bench as Protective Order Hearing Master. Because of his commitment and dedication, as well as his sense of humor, he has brought national programs to our community, such as the PROSPER Project. He has also supported us in taking risks and reaching beyond what we ever did before. He encouraged support for our grant application to build a Child Advocacy Center and other collaborative projects to improve the quality of life in our community. Whether we succeeded or not, he was right there to say “we’ll try again.”

Frank Sullivan is truly a STAR in this community. Stellar in his commitment to helping the victims of domestic violence and improving our system, Tenacious in the way he approaches the challenges he is faced with everyday, Awe-inspiring because of the energy, passion and inspiration to others and Remarkable in that he always takes risks and encourages others to do so.

Wendy Wilkinson, a founding member of the Task Force and the manager of the Domestic Violence Intervention Program has been honored as employee of the year by the District Courts. Over the years, Wendy has worked to develop a protection system and program that enhances victim safety and addresses the multiple needs of those seeking protection through the courts from an abusive domestic partner. Wendy has also served on the Task Force’s Media Committee, helping to create the Memorial Plaques in memory of the victims of Domestic Violence. Congratulations to Wendy Wilkinson!

While the news of her death casts a dark and forboding shadow, her memory will bring light to this earth forever. We must remember and honor Susan Schechter by putting aside our differences in order to create the collaborations she always encouraged. We must remember Susan and her spirit as we move ahead in our work as advocartes for change.

These beautiful brass and marble plaques are available for the lobby of your agency or business, facility or hospital. It is a powerful reminder that domestic violence is not a private or a family matter. To arrange to host these plaques, please call (702) 225-4113.