Victim Assistance Academy
Equipping Tennessee’s victim service professionals with the knowledge, skills, and connections to better serve victims and survivors.
The Senator Tommy Burks Victim Assistance Academy is a project of the Tennessee Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence. The Academy is a comprehensive basic level training designed for victim service providers. The goal of the Academy is to improve services to crime victims by enhancing the knowledge and skills of victim advocates. This week-long training offers a Tennessee-specific 40-hour curriculum modeled after the National Victim Assistance Academy.
The Tommy Burks Victim Assistance Academy training is appropriate for individuals working in victim advocacy programs, prosecutors’ offices, law enforcement, probation, corrections, emergency responders, domestic and sexual violence programs, child advocacy centers and other victim service agencies. The Academy is also appropriate for students who are interested in the field of victimology. The training addresses issues specific to Tennessee crime victims and offers people who are new to the field of victim advocacy opportunities to expand their skills and knowledge of Tennessee law by learning from experts and each other.
The 2026 in-person Academy will take place May 31st – June 5th, 2026 at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
A limited number of applicants are accepted to attend each year. Applications for the 2026 Academy will open in early December 2025.
YOU are the ideal candidate for the Tommy Burks Victim Assistance Academy training if you:
What about cost?
The Academy is free to all attendees, and a limited number of attendees may also qualify for travel expense reimbursement and free lodging during the Academy as well.
How to Apply
The application window for the 2026 Tommy Burks Academy will be open December 1st, 2025 through March 29th, 2026.
Have questions about the Academy? Email training@tncoalition.org.
“I absolutely loved the academy. I cannot stop talking about it with friends and family. I feel very blessed with the opportunity to take this course before I go into the field.”
“I truly enjoyed the entire week of training, presentations, and meeting new people to collaborate with.”
“My toolbox is full of new and helpful tools. I will approach every client with more sensitivity and understanding.”
“I’m taking home with me a lot of resources, processes, and research [about] what I as an advocate can do.”
“Loved the combination of group think and lecture.”
“This was amazing!”
Tommy Burks (May 22, 1940 – October 19, 1998) served in the Tennessee House of Representatives from 1970 until 1978, and in the Tennessee State Senate from 1978 until his murder in 1998.
Born in Cookeville, Tennessee, Burks was a strong victims’ advocate who sponsored many bills to improve services for victims of crime including establishing a victims’ coalition, expanding access to orders of protection, and supporting a constitutional amendment ensuring victims’ rights. Burks was murdered by his opponent less than a month before his likely re-election.
His widow, Charlotte, ran for his seat and won, becoming the first Tennessee State Senator to win as a write-in candidate and one of the very few American politicians to win as a write-in candidate ever. The Senator Tommy Burks Victim Assistance Academy was established in 2008 and is named in memory of this great Tennessean.
Qualified students who complete the Tommy Burks Victim Assistance Academy may earn a National Organization for Victim Assistance (NOVA) Provisional Advocate Certification. For more information about this certification, go to www.trynova.org/nacp/.
Stay connected for announcements about upcoming Academy dates, registration, and other training opportunities.
Support is available 24/7. Find services near you or call a hotline now. It is completely free, confidential, and safe.
Tennessee Domestic Violence Hotline
Tennessee Sexual Assault Hotline
