Justice Department Announces Appointment of Cindy Dyer as Director for the Office...

Justice Department Announces Appointment of Cindy Dyer as Director for the
Office on Violence Against Women

WASHINGTON, Jan. 4 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Cindy Dyer was confirmed as
Director for the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW), the Department of
Justice announced. Ms. Dyer was nominated to this position by President
George W. Bush on Aug. 2, 2007 and confirmed by the U.S. Senate on Dec. 19,
2007. Prior to her appointment she was with the Dallas County, Texas,
District Attorney's Office.

Ms. Dyer is an experienced prosecutor and a recognized authority on the topic
of family violence and sexual assault. She was the first prosecutor to join
the Family Violence Division during its inception in 1994 and became the Chief
Prosecutor of that division in 1998. She has received numerous awards and
recognition for her service to victims, including the Henry Wade Prosecutor of
the Year award from the Greater Dallas Crime Commission, the Equal Justice
Award from the Legal Services of North West Texas, and the Stephen Von Riesen
Lecturer of Merit Award from the National College of District Attorneys.

As an active member of her community in Dallas, she has served on the board of
the Texas Council on Family Violence, assisted in proposing and drafting
legislation to help victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, and
served as a volunteer for local organizations, including a non-profit women's
shelter. Ms. Dyer graduated from Texas A&M University and Baylor University
Law School.

The Office on Violence Against Women (OVW), a component of the U.S. Department
of Justice, provides national leadership in developing the nation's capacity
to reduce violence against women through the implementation of the Violence
Against Women Act (VAWA) and subsequent legislation. Created in 1995, OVW
administers financial and technical assistance to communities across the
country that are developing programs, policies, and practices aimed at ending
domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. In addition
to overseeing 12 federal grant programs, OVW often undertakes a number of
initiatives in response to areas of special need, dedicating resources to
develop enhancements in areas requiring particular attention or in communities
facing particularly acute challenges. More information is available at
www.ovw.usdoj.gov .

SOURCE U.S. Department of Justice

Joan Larocca of the Department of Justice, +1-202-307-6026