NCVRW Resource Guide: 2006 Community Awareness Programs A-G

The Rape Response/Shoals Crisis Center of Florence, Alabama, collaborated with other local victim service organizations to carry out a billboard campaign for NCVRW and to hold a candlelight vigil. Billboards featured the 2006 NCVRW theme, event information for the candlelight vigil, and the names and numbers of local crime victim service agencies. The billboard design was also adapted to create postcard invitations to the vigil.

"Take Back the Night" Rally

In Montgomery, Alabama, the Lighthouse Counseling Center, Inc., collaborated with local victim service organizations to hold a "Take Back the Night" rally at the state capitol building in Montgomery. The rally featured presenters who spoke on various types of crime and relevant legislation, and tables were set up to display information about local resources available to victims. The event was advertised through radio public service announcements, television, newspaper, and fliers.

Arizona

"Strength in Unity Fair"

The City of Goodyear, Arizona, worked with local police and probation departments to hold a "Strength in Unity Fair," which took place following a 5K run/walk sponsored by another agency. The fair was held at a local community college, and the city offered workshops, self-defense classes, and victim-related awareness materials. The partners also collected cell phones, clothing, and canned goods for victims. Press releases, mass e-mails, posters, and a radio public service announcement were used to advertise the event.

Arkansas

"CASA Zoo Day"

The Arkansas Court-Appointed Special Advocates Association (CASA) of Little Rock worked in partnership with other victim service providers to raise awareness about victims' rights and services through an event entitled "CASA Zoo Day." The event took place at the local zoo and involved banner displays and booths containing materials on a variety of topics, such as how to access victim services. Banners and billboards were used to advertise the event and available services.

California

Resource Fair, Awareness Rally, Candlelight Vigil, Poster Contest

The Kern County Hispanic Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse Services, Inc., of Bakersfield, California, collaborated with local victim service organizations and other agencies to carry out a campaign promoting NCVRW, victims' rights and available services. Activities held included a resource fair, awareness rally, candlelight vigil, and "Strength in Unity" poster contest in the county's school district. This joint campaign also involved public service announcements in English and Spanish on local radio and television stations, and posters and fliers in English and Spanish that were distributed to area businesses.

Community Meetings, Candlelight Vigil, Resource Fair

The Kern County Probation Department of Bakersfield, California, collaborated with the local sheriff's office, school district, and community organizations to hold community meetings prior to NCVRW to highlight planned activities and provide information on different types of crime. During NCVRW, a candlelight vigil was held, and speakers presented at an event where printed materials and promotional items were distributed. The department promoted NCVRW and available victim services through posters and informational fliers in English and Spanish, ribbons, bookmarks, buttons, grocery bag advertisements, television, and articles and advertisements in newspapers, including a Spanish-language newspaper.

Poster Campaign, "Take Back the Night" Rally, "Strength in Unity" Event

The Modesto (California) Police Department worked with a local victim service agency and a foundation to promote NCVRW through a poster campaign. The posters were displayed in the windows of area businesses, yard signs were printed in English and Spanish, and a banner display was created. Television interviews with victims and victim service providers were also presented in English and Spanish. The department held a "Take Back the Night" and a "Victims' Rights: Strength in Unity" event, which involved speakers and the presentation of awards to those who serve victims. Local newspaper, radio, and television advertised the events.

"Linked Together in Unity Against Violence" Campaign

The Volunteer Center of Napa Valley, California, collaborated with local victim service organizations, the district attorney's office, local law enforcement, victims, and a local artist to carry out a "Linked Together in Unity Against Violence" campaign for NCVRW. The artist designed a logo that was displayed on T-shirts, advertisements, and fliers. Posters in English and Spanish were developed and displayed in local businesses. Speakers presented at a courthouse rally where people at information booths distributed printed materials, and a "Linking Together" ceremony involved creating a large paper chain symbolizing victims connecting with services and working together. The partners also developed public service announcements for local radio and television stations.

Candlelight Vigil, Awareness Luncheon, Poster Contest, and More

The Nevada County Victim/Witness Assistance Center of Nevada City, California, worked with local government and nonprofit agencies to hold a candlelight vigil, a victim awareness luncheon, a student poster contest, and a display of T-shirts designed by sexual assault and child abuse survivors. "Silent Witness" silhouettes, NCVRW proclamations, and a victims' photographic Memorial Wall of Remembrance were also featured. The event was promoted through posters, buttons, banners, public service announcements for local radio and television stations, and newspaper advertisements.

Grocery Bag Advertisements

In Sacramento, California, an organization called My Sister's House worked with local community organizations to promote their services for domestic violence victims with advertisements on grocery bags used in local Asian markets. The advertisements were translated into Korean, Chinese, Hmong, Tagalog (Filipino), and Hindi, and were then distributed with literature on domestic violence for use during NCVRW. The partners also used television, newspaper, and the Web to announce the awareness campaign.

Two-Day Awareness Event

The University Corporation-Valley Trauma Center of Van Nuys, California, collaborated with various California State University organizations and the Deputy District Attorney of Los Angeles County to hold a 2-day awareness event during NCVRW. The event educated the community on resources available to crime victims, relevant legal information, crime in their area, and the psychological effects of victimization. The event also included an educational display, which contained materials developed in English and Spanish, and a performance of a play about one woman's journey towards healing after being victimized. Fliers, a newsletter, radio spots, and newspapers promoted the event.

Colorado

Training Workshop

The Victim Assistance Unit of the Denver (Colorado) Police Department worked with local victim service providers and other organizations to hold a training workshop on the new Colorado Victim Rights Amendment. At the training presenters discussed the rights of crime victims in Colorado and distributed printed materials about the new amendment and local services available to crime victims. The workshop was promoted through invitations, a Web page, and local newspapers and television stations.

Connecticut

Community Information Fair

In New London, the Women's Center of Southeastern Connecticut, Inc., collaborated with a local police department and senior center to hold a community information fair. Several speakers discussed victim issues and led educational activities. The event provided information on a variety of topics, such as local services for crime victims and victim compensation. Posters, fliers, and the local newspapers, radio stations, and cable television station advertised the event.

Florida

Crime Victims' Rights Expo

In Gulf Breeze, the Northwest Florida Chapter of the Trauma Intervention Program, Inc., worked with victim service organizations, businesses, local law enforcement, and other organizations to hold a Crime Victims' Rights Expo on a local college campus. The event educated participants on victims' crisis reactions, victims' rights, and available services. The expo was promoted through fliers, posters, banners, a newspaper advertisement, and a radio advertisement.

Victims' Rights Expo, Victims' Rights Observance, Seniors' Luncheon

The Putnam County Sheriff's Office of Palatka, Florida, collaborated with local law enforcement, businesses, and other organizations to hold three events during NCVRW. The "Victims' Rights Expo" was the kickoff event that included information booths run by local agencies and an opportunity for victims to speak out. Information distributed at the event emphasized services for those who speak Spanish. The second event was a "Victims' Rights Observance," which included a candlelight vigil. The third event was a luncheon for senior citizens, which provided information on crimes against the elderly and the services that are available for them. The events were advertised through local newspapers and radio stations.

Community Awareness Event

In Punta Gorda, Florida, the Center for Abuse and Rape Emergencies of Charlotte County, Inc., Victims Services Center, worked with the media and local organizations to hold a community event during NCVRW. The event included exhibits with information about local victim services, speakers, victim speak-outs, and a memorial observance. A display honored victims of crime, and art, essay, and poetry contests were held at local schools; prizes were provided by the local sheriff's office. A local newspaper featured a series of awareness articles and distributed a newsletter to promote NCVRW.

Georgia

Workshop on Workplace Violence

In Blue Ridge, the North Georgia Mountain Crisis Network, Inc., worked with other victim service organizations, law enforcement, court personnel, businesses, and churches to hold a workshop on workplace violence. The workshop provided information on stalking, domestic violence, and services available to victims. The partners also held a balloon release in honor of victims. NCVRW and the workshop were advertised through informational tables in offices and at the local courthouse, fliers, newspapers, and radio.

Informational Fair

The Memorial Health University Medical Foundation, Inc., in Savannah, Georgia, collaborated with local community organizations and the City of Savannah to kick off NCVRW with an informational fair at a local mall. Information about local resources for crime victims was distributed, and a "Kid Track DNA Child Safety Program" was held at the fair. Brochures with a special focus on elder abuse were distributed at the event and with Savannah's water bills. The partners also held a news conference and contacted the local television and radio stations to spread awareness of NCVRW activities and the services available to elderly victims.

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