U of A's Roberta Sick Named 2019 Crime Victim Advocate of the Year

Roberta Sick receives her award
Photo Submitted

Roberta Sick receives her award

Roberta Sick, director of the Initiatives on Access and Justice at the University of Arkansas - Partners for Inclusive Communities, was one of two recipients of the 2019 Crime Victim Advocate of the Year Award given by the Arkansas Crime Victims Reparations Board, Arkansas Attorney General's Office.

The award was presented to Sick on April 12 in Little Rock at the Arkansas Recognition and Victims' Rights Ceremony held to commemorate National Crime Victims' Rights Week. When accepting the award, she said, "It takes a village, as no one can do this work alone, so thank you."

Sick has a longstanding history in work related to disability access and inclusion. One of the original members of the Arkansas Americans with Disabilities Act Roundtable, Sick provided many hours of training on the ADA and was instrumental in bringing Arkansans together to address systemic issues that impact access. 

Janice K. Church, chairman of the Arkansas Crime Victims Reparations Board, said, "Ms. Sick is well known professionally for her work with victims with disabilities, and this is truly an honor well-deserved!"

Since 1998, Sick has directed Partners' violence prevention and intervention efforts. She has been involved in a number of training efforts both in the state and nationally, addressing the critical issues of preventing violence in the lives of people with disabilities and providing access to services. This has included training for professionals, law enforcement and information for people with disabilities. 

Sick served as co-chair of the National Council on Independent Living's Violence and Abuse Subcommittee from its inception in 2006 until 2017. 

At Partners, she and her team provide direct services to victims with disabilities through co-advocacy with domestic violence, sexual assault, and law enforcement-based victim advocates. She is also the Principal Investigator of the Arkansas Victim Assistance Academy, a collaboration between Partners and the Crime Victims Assistance Association of Arkansas and a multiagency steering committee. She is a licensed professional counselor. 

Contacts

Shannon G. Magsam, director of communications
College of Education and Health Professions
479-575-3138, magsam@uark.edu

Headlines

The World as a Classroom: The Executive M.B.A. Program at U of A

The program, offered through the Sam M. Walton College of Business, blends online learning with face-to-face interaction and applied studies in a real-time international immersion trip.

Keri Blakinger, Author of 'Corrections in Ink,' to Speak at Fayetteville Public Library April 22

Blakinger, an award-winning journalist now at the Los Angeles Times, will talk about her memoir and her work as a reporter at 6 p.m. April 22 at the Fayetteville Public Library's Walker Community Room.

Visit With University Libraries and Pat Walker Health Center's Medical Services at Carnival Today

Employees are invited to meet fellow workers from units across campus including the University Libraries and the Pat Walker Health Center at today's Making Your Day Work Carnival at the Arkansas Union.

Farewell Reception April 3 for Fulbright College's Lisa Summerford

The campus community is invited to celebrate Summerford's achievements and to wish her well during a drop-in retirement reception from 3:30-5 p.m. Wednesday, April 3, in the Fulbright College Dean's Office in Old Main 523.

Rachel McGathy Retiring After 25 Years

There will be a reception to celebrate McGathy's retirement from 2:30-4:30 p.m. Friday, March 29, in the downstairs breakroom at Uptown East.

News Daily