Identity Theft Resource Center Recipient of
the 2010 Suzanne McDaniel Public Awareness Award
The U.S. Congressional Victims’ Rights Caucus has named the Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC) as the winner of the Suzanne McDaniel Public Awareness Award, after being nominated by Representatives Brian Bilbray (R) and Susan Davis (D) of California. This is one of five awards presented in conjunction with National Crime Victims’ Rights Week to honor crime victims and those who serve them for outstanding efforts in victim advocacy, allied professional advocacy, public policy, and public awareness.
Representatives Ted Poe (R-TX) and Jim Costa (D-CA) established the U.S. Congressional Victims’ Rights Caucus in 2006. The mission of the Caucus is to elevate crime victim issues in Congress in a bipartisan manner without infringing on the rights of the accused, and represent and advocate before the Administration and within the U.S. Congress on behalf of crime victims and law enforcement officials.
The ITRC is now in its 10th year as a national forum and non-profit service provider for consumers and victims of identity theft. During the last decade, with the help of the ITRC’s efforts, identity theft has transformed from a crime with no legal standing to one that is now nationally recognized. The ITRC has played a significant role in this expanding national awareness.
The Suzanne McDaniel Public Awareness Award is named for Suzanne McDaniel, one of the first prosecutor-based victim advocates in Texas and in the nation. McDaniel created Harris County’s first community interagency council on sexual assault and family violence and the first rape exam protocol for Houston Hospital and Medical Associations. She also formed the Texas Crime Victim Clearinghouse, the first statewide resource in the nation, and helped draft and pass the Texas Crime Victim Bill of Rights, the Texas Crime Victims’ Compensation Act, and the Texas Constitutional Amendment on Crime Victim Rights. This award honors an individual or organization that has used its voice, throughout the media, to promote and to bring about change at the National level for crime victims.
The ITRC, through media and concentrated national educational efforts, continues to raise consumer awareness about identity theft, scams and fraud. It has worked diligently to help media and consumers understand that identity theft is a dynamic crime, evolving every day, with criminals finding new ways to use the personal identifying information of others. The ITRC uses traditional and non-traditional media outlets to present these evolving issues of identity theft to all concerned parties: legislators, law enforcement, businesses, and consumers.
The 2010 U.S. Congressional Victims’ Rights Caucus awards will be presented at a ceremony on Wednesday, April 14th, at 5:00 p.m. at the U.S. Capitol Visitors Center, North Congressional Meeting Room.
Contact: Karen@idtheftcenter.org
Direct (858) 444-3286
Cell (619) 405-4360