Justice Isn't Served Until Crime Victims Are: 2005 National Crime Victims' Rights Week Resource Guide

• NCJ Number: 207049
• Date Published: January 2005
• Length: 91 pages
• Grant Number(s): 2002-VF-GX-0009
• Agencies: OVC
• Publication Type: Technical Assistance; Program/Project Description

Annotation

This resource guide for the 2005 National Crime Victims' Rights Week (April 10-16) contains materials designed to help victim-assistance, criminal and juvenile justice, and allied professional agencies plan for victim and public-awareness activities during the designated week and throughout the year.

Abstract

An introductory overview of the resource guide describes new additions to this year's guide, along with information on how to access the guide from the Web site of the Office of Victims of Crime. The mission of the National Crime Victims' Rights Week is stated to be a "nationwide remembrance, reflection, and recommitment for crime victims and survivors and those who serve them in order to raise individual and public awareness about the rights and needs of crime victims, the challenges that victims face in seeking help and hope in the aftermath of crime, and the positive impact that individuals and communities can have by providing services and support to victims and survivors of crime." In addition to the introductory overview, five booklets provide resource material helpful in planning an effective campaign. A booklet on "Maximizing Communication and Awareness" describes how to make victims' rights and services a priority and contains a sample proclamation and sample speech, along with tips for promoting victim and community awareness and outreach to and collaboration with multi-faith communities. Another booklet describes camera-ready artwork that is contained on a CD-ROM. A third booklet provides resources for working with the media, including a sample press release, sample public service announcements, a sample opinion/editorial column, and a crime victim's experiences. The fourth booklet identifies and profiles landmarks in the history of crime victims' rights and services; and the fifth booklet presents statistical overviews and resources pertinent to various types of offenses, their impact on victims, and the types of victim services needed.