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Justice for Victims. Justice for All.
Office for Victims of Crime

Public Awareness

Awareness web banner from the 2012 NCVRW Guide.
Awareness web banner
from the 2012 NCVRW Guide

National Crime Victims’ Rights Week

Each April since 1981, OVC has helped lead communities throughout the country in their annual observances of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW) by promoting victims’ rights and honoring crime victims and those who advocate on their behalf.

National Crime Victims’ Service Awards

OVC recognizes extraordinary individuals, organizations, teams, and programs that demonstrate outstanding achievements in supporting victims and victim services. The recipients are announced just before National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW) commences and honored at the National Crime Victims’ Service Awards Ceremony. Join OVC in observing NCVRW April 22–28, 2012, and "Extending the Vision: Reaching Every Victim" is the theme. In 2013, NCVRW will be observed April 21–27, 2013.

National Crime Victims’ Rights Week Ceremonies

On Friday, April 20, 2012, OVC recognized the National Crime Victims’ Service Awards recipients that demonstrate outstanding achievements in supporting victims and victim services at the National Crime Victims’ Service Awards Ceremony.

For details on the award recipients, visit the NCVRW Web Site and the Gallery of Award Recipients.

National Crime Victims’ Rights Week Resource Guide

The Office for Victims of Crime also produces the yearly NCVRW Resource Guide to help communities and victim assistance providers promote awareness of crime victim issues. The Guide includes educational content, campaign materials, artwork, and a theme video. Explore the Guide and 2012 Theme DVD content online or download for future use. Resource Guides from previous years are available to download from the list of Archived Publications.

Community Awareness Projects: Raising Public Awareness of NCVRW

Since 2004, OVC has been providing competitive funding opportunities to local communities to reimburse up to $5,000 in costs associated with conducting public awareness activities during National Crime Victims’ Rights Week. This initiative, known as the NCVRW Community Awareness Project, has enhanced the ability of 193 communities throughout the United States to raise awareness about victims’ rights and services among the general public. View previously funded NCVRW projects.

OVC has compiled a list of creative NCVRW awareness activities, including art exhibits and contests, blood drives, runs/walks, and community fairs that can be easily adapted to different jurisdictions. Some examples of previously selected public awareness strategies include:

Advertisements

  • billboard advertising
  • advertising in local newspapers
  • television and radio public service announcements

Signs/Displays

  • table displays for local restaurants
  • posters, display boards, and promotional materials
  • lawn signs for distribution and placement throughout residential communities

Fliers/Brochures

  • grocery bag inserts
  • brochures for outreach to non-English speaking victims
  • informational fliers for the restrooms of local bars and nightclubs that provide local victim service hotline numbers

Events/Activities

  • community resource fairs/workshops/lectures
  • creation or restoration of victim memorial gardens or community spaces for reflection and tribute to victims
  • candlelight vigils
  • youth forums, art contests, and essay contests at local schools
  • fun runs/walks and 5K races to raise awareness
  • awards breakfasts/luncheons