Upcoming events, webinars, and news from the field
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As I prepare to leave MAC, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to the many incredible people I have had the opportunity to work with over the years. The list of those who have impacted me is endless. From consultants to funders, and relative coalition leaders to policymakers, and coalition members to the amazing team here at MAC. I am the sum of my collective experiences with so many of you.
My past ten years at MAC represented the culmination of all the lessons I learned along the way and has offered me the greatest privilege of all - the ability to drive systemic change and shape the field of victim services in Minnesota and beyond. This position has also given me an incredible vantage point where I can see how instrumental victim services are to public safety.While at times it may have felt the value of supporting those impacted by crime was questioned, repeatedly policymakers prioritized our work by passing laws that strengthened victims’ rights and voted to get critical funding to front-line programs.
Another benefit of working in this position for the past decade has been the opportunity to mentor others, give back to the field, and recognize the skilled leadership of the MAC team. Being able to support others as they grow into leadership is more rewarding than being the Executive Director. At MAC, I’ve said that as an organization, we are committed to a culture of respect and humility. We learn from victim/survivors, allied partners, and one another and never claim to have all the answers.
As someone professionally and personally committed to lifelong learning, I’m now venturing into unchartered territory where priorities are shifting, and my trademark sense of planning and detail will transform into the satisfaction of enjoying one moment at a time and a little less structure. I will never stop learning, and I will continue to share what I have learned with others. I look forward to exploring where I can be of service and where I can add value and stay focused on important goals and objectives. And more than anything, I look forward to spending a little more time with my family and friends who have been with me every step of the way.
It is with tremendous appreciation that I say goodbye, and with just as much excitement for what’s to come under Becca Muskat’s leadership.
In Peace!
Free Wellness Sessions
Safeguard
Safeguard is a new program of the Minnesota Alliance on Crime that brings licensed therapists to your organization for in-person group wellness sessions. Sessions will focus on stressors and coping skills. Sessions are completely confidential and can be booked around your organization’s schedule.
On July 31, 2025, the Department of Justice announced a remission process to compensate eligible individuals advertised for trafficking on Backpage.com or CityXGuide for specific damages they suffered as a result of the trafficking. Petitions are due February 2, 2026.
Filing a petition for remission can be complex and overwhelming. The Backpage Survivor Remission Network, created by NCMEC, connects survivors with law firms across the U.S. to make the process easier. Eligible individuals can get help filing for compensation at no cost.
Visit NCMEC’s website to access these resources, including helpful information about the remission process: BackpageRemissionNetwork.org
The Minnesota Human Trafficking Prevention and Response Network is a coordinated statewide network to connect those working to prevent and respond to human trafficking and exploitation, both sex and labor, in Minnesota. The next Human Trafficking Prevention and Response Network Meeting will be hosted virtually on Monday, January 26 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
From the Bureau of Justice Statistics: N-DASH a new dashboard to review data from the National Crime Victimization Survey, now with 2024 data.
Mark your calendar! World Elder Abuse Awareness Day will be June 17th, 2026 and the annual conference will be in Brooklyn Center, MN.
Paid Leave for Safety Leave Certifiers
Free Webinar
Tuesday, December 9
2 - 3:30 p.m.
When Minnesota Paid Leave launches Jan. 1, 2026, Minnesota will become the fourth state in the country to offer Safety Leave – paid time away from work for survivors or family members affected by domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking. Case workers, counselors, victim’s advocates, health providers, Title IX coordinators, public safety court officials all play an important role in helping survivors and their family members learn about and access Safety Leave. To help you prepare, Paid Leave staff and several Minnesota anti-violence coalitions are teaming up to host a 90-minute, virtual workshop. Attendees will hear directly from the agency charged with implementing and overseeing the Paid Leave program and have the chance to ask questions. The workshop is free and will be recorded.
Participants can expect to learn:
Who is covered and what benefits are available under Paid Leave
How to apply for and certify an individual’s need for Safety Leave
What actions you can take now to prepare for the launch of Paid Leave on Jan. 1, 2026
How you can help raise awareness about safety and other types of Paid Leave
Weekly Thursdays at 6PM, Unidos MN is hosting a live information session where attorney Susana De León will discuss immigration legal information and answer questions via Facebook and Instagram Live.
From the Survivor Center within the Prosecutors Alliance: A Compass for Healing: Guiding Survivors Towards Justice in an Imperfect System. Free webinar. Tuesday, December 2nd, 2pm CT. **Becca enjoyed this webinar so much when she saw it at a conference this summer, she hired the presenter to present this session in Fundamentals in Victim Services 201!
From NOVA and the Justice Clearinghouse: Victim Safety Planning and Mobile Devices. This comprehensive training session will equip participants with the knowledge and skills needed to help victims and survivors protect their mobile devices and sensitive data from potential threats. December 4th at 2pm CT.
MNCASA hosts a job board for advocacy positionshere.
The Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota is hiring a number of positions. Learn more here.
MAC is a membership coalition of more than 90 crime victim service providers in Minnesota, including prosecution-based victim/witness programs, community programs, law enforcement agencies, and individuals committed to supporting crime victims. We support our membership through training, technical assistance, resources, public policy and legislative initiatives, and networking opportunities.
To join our coalition of Minnesota crime victim service programs,click here.
Want to share something in next month's newsletter? Email Becca!
The Minnesota Alliance on Crime advances a collective movement to eliminate the systemic barriers experienced by people impacted by crime.
VISION
The Minnesota Alliance on Crime envisions a world where people impacted by crime, particularly those who are historically marginalized, can heal, achieve justice, and restore balance to their lives.
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