New Jersey’s Attorney General’s Office is accepting nominations for the 2025 OAG Excellence Awards for Victims’ Justice, with a submission deadline of March 18, 2025. The awards recognize individuals and organizations dedicated to serving victims of crime and advancing victims’ rights within the state.
According to nomination guidelines released by the office, submissions can be made for both individuals and organizations, contingent upon meeting specific award criteria. Nominations must comprehensively address all criteria to be considered. For organizations, agencies, programs, or teams, the nomination must include the name, title, email address and telephone number of a designated point of contact.
To be eligible, nominees must be at least 18 years old and reside in New Jersey. They must likewise be actively involved in victim services, either through professional employment or volunteer work. Previous award recipients are not eligible for re-nomination.
The nomination process encourages submitters to detail the nominee’s contributions to the victim services field, emphasizing work that extends beyond routine job responsibilities and demonstrably improves the lives of victims. Submissions should highlight instances of compassion, exceptional effort, commitment, leadership, teamwork, or impactful change brought about for victims or the pursuit of victims’ justice.
The Attorney General’s Office specifically requests nominators to identify any unique, innovative, or groundbreaking approaches the nominee or organization has employed in serving crime victims or enhancing their rights. A description of the nominee’s work’s impact on individuals affected by violent crimes or navigating the criminal justice system is also required. Nominators are asked to indicate the length of time the nominee has been involved in victim assistance and to provide the names of two additional individuals who can corroborate their assessment of the nominee’s contributions.
The 2025 Crime Victims’ Rights Award, one of the awards offered, reflects the National Crime Victims’ Rights Week theme: “Connecting < KINSHIP > Healing.” The award will be presented to an individual or agency whose actions embody this theme, specifically recognizing those who have assisted victims in unconventional or innovative ways.
The Division of Violence Intervention and Victim Assistance (VIVA) will notify selected nominees. Winners will be publicly announced during Crime Victims’ Rights Week. Award recipients will be expected to participate in the Crime Victims’ Rights Week Ceremony and grant permission for the use of their images and likenesses in state government publications and websites. The event will be open to media coverage.
The National Crime Victims’ Service Awards, a related national recognition, also acknowledges outstanding achievements in supporting victims and expanding access to justice, but the nomination period for the 2025 awards is now closed. Individuals interested in future opportunities are encouraged to sign up for the National Crime Victims’ Rights Week Subscription List for updates.
