Victoria Cruz, 66, Latina Transgender, Receives Justice Dept. National Crime Victim Service Award

Victoria Cruz, is a transgender activist and domestic violence counselor, who has spent the majority of her life helping victims of abuse. Cruz’s hard work and dedication has been recognized by the Justice Department, who in 2012 awarded Cruz with the National Crime Victim Service Award reports The Huffington Post.

The Service Award honors individuals as well as groups and programs that provide needed services to victims of crimes. Cruz is the first transgender to receive this award.

Cruz, ‘Vicki,” as she is known to those close to her, advises and counsels abuse victims in New York City. Her knowledge and compassion comes from being a victim herself. Cruz survived years of physical and sexual abuse during a time period that homophobia had a grip on far too many.

Cruz has been “out” since she was eleven. Cruz never hid her sexuality, and being transgender during her younger years was not only difficult, but dangerous. Today the former abuse victim is now one of our country’s top crime fighters!

This isn’t Cruz first time in the spotlight. Back in 1997, she made headlines, when she worked for the Cobble Hill Nursing Home as part of a welfare-to-work program. Cruz accused a group of female nurses of groping her while they taunted her with names like “antiman” and “battyman.” A criminal court judge acquitted two of the nurses, but did find two nurses guilty of harassment reports NY Daily News.

During her legal battle Cruz turned to New York City’s Anti-Violence Project (AVP). The project was founded in 1980. It empowers victims using advocacy and counseling. As part of the organization, Cruz has dedicated her life to aiding victims of domestic violence, police violence and rape.

Cruz was honored by Attorney General Eric Holder during a National Crime Victim’s Service Awards ceremony that was held in New York City earlier this week. Eleven others were also honored.

Cruz, born in Red Hook, never hid her sexuality despite the dangers of being open about it in the 1950’s.

“I always knew that I was different. When I was in middle school they would call me ‘queer.’ ‘Gay’ at the time meant a jovial person. But, I always had the support of my family and that is so important and some transgender people don’t get the support of their family for whatever reason.I am passionate about the work that I do. People are coming out at a younger age. And putting themselves at risk. This award is making the invincible, visible,” Cruz told the NY Daily News.