NCVRW Resource Guide: 2006 Community Awareness Programs I-M

In Normal, Illinois, the Regional Office of Education, District 17, joined forces with local child advocacy organizations and several other organizations to carry out a media campaign for NCVRW. This joint campaign consisted of advertising in three local newspapers during NCVRW and on four radio stations during the month of April. Advertisements were available in both English and Spanish and included information on NCVRW, victims' rights, resources, and compensation. Grocery bag inserts were also distributed countywide.

Indiana

Awareness Campaign

The Elkhart County Prosecutors Office of Elkhart, Indiana, collaborated with local media and other organizations to carry out an NCVRW awareness campaign. They held a press conference and developed advertisements in English and Spanish for local radio and television stations, including a Hispanic radio and television station. The advertisements provided information on victims' rights and services. The partners also created street banners and fliers to distribute to local organizations.

Iowa

"Got Awareness?" Campaign

An organization called ACCESS in Ames, Iowa, worked with local college organizations and local businesses to implement a campaign called "Got Awareness?" to raise awareness of crime victims' rights and services. Their campaign consisted of educational gatherings, radio and newspaper promotion, bus advertisements, posters, and a Clothesline Project display to promote NCVRW and present information about different types of crime and victims' rights and services.

Kentucky

Elder Abuse Awareness Campaign

In Lexington, Kentucky, the Nursing Home Ombudsman Agency collaborated with two local coordinating councils on elder abuse to carry out an awareness campaign for NCVRW. The campaign included the design and distribution of first responder cards and magnets containing information on services available to victims of elder abuse and how to detect the signs of abuse. Billboards, newsletters, magnets, pharmacy bags, television show appearances, and radio public service announcements were used to promote NCVRW.

"Kids Have the Right to Be Safe" Contest, "Victims' Rights/Memorial Service"

The Floyd County Commonwealth's Attorney's Office in Prestonburg, Kentucky, partnered with local law enforcement, a bank, and other local organizations in a rural community to carry out a countywide campaign for NCVRW. The campaign included a "Kids Have the Right to Be Safe" poster and essay contest for children in the fifth and sixth grades, as well as an educational day that provided information about local victim services. There was an awards ceremony for the contest winners, a "Victims' Rights/ Memorial Service" honoring all types of crime victims, and an event focused on victimization of the elderly. The partners also distributed promotional items, such as pencils, and used the media to advertise the events.

Louisiana

"Victims' Rights Run/Walk," Memorial Wall and Ceremony

The TriParish Victims Assistance Program of Amite, Louisiana, collaborated with a local sheriff's office and victim service organizations to hold a "Victims' Rights Run/Walk" to kick off NCVRW, create a memorial wall for local homicide victims, and hold a memorial ceremony to honor and remember homicide victims. The events and NCVRW were advertised through fliers, newspaper articles, and radio public service announcements. The partners also created promotional items, including auto magnets and T-shirts using the NCVRW logo.

Maine

Walk for NCVRW

In Perry, Maine, the Pleasant Point Passamaquoddy Tribe collaborated with local services through their Victims Advisory Board to hold a walk for NCVRW. They distributed T-shirts and packets containing information on victims' rights and services at the event. Fliers, posters, and a newsletter promoted the event.

Maryland

Educational Campaign

Witness Justice of Frederick, Maryland, partnered with a local volunteer organization to carry out an educational campaign during NCVRW that focused on victims' rights and how to report a crime. The partnering agencies developed public service announcements for radio and a local cable station, distributed fliers, advertised in the newspaper, participated in an interview on a local cable program, held an informational event at a shopping mall, and held events for proclamations by the mayor and county commissioners. Witness Justice also posted the OVC NCVRW Web banner on their Web site, launched a new Witness Justice program to support the spiritual needs of survivors and service providers, and distributed promotional items.

Massachusetts

Candlelight Vigil, Memorial Dedication, "Victims' Rights Awareness Fair"

In Brockton, Massachusetts, the Plymouth County District Attorney's Office collaborated with other members of a countywide initiative, Violence-Free Education, Training, and Outreach (VETO), to carry out a series of activities during NCVRW. They held a candlelight vigil and a memorial dedication at a local park, which also included the distribution of seed packets with NCVRW labels, ribbons, and bookmarks. A "Victim Rights' Awareness Fair" was held at two local malls to provide the community with resources, and bookmarks were distributed to local stores. Children's coloring books and palm cards in English and Spanish were also distributed at the fair, both of which contained resource numbers and safety information. The partners advertised the events through local newspapers, television, and radio.

Domestic Violence Campaign

In Cambridge, the Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers worked with local Brazilian, Portuguese, and Cape Verdean media to carry out a weeklong campaign during NCVRW focusing on domestic violence. The campaign targeted those three ethnic communities, so all information provided was in Portuguese and the Cape Verdean-Creole language. A community awareness event included victim/survivor speakers and a facilitated discussion on domestic violence. Victims' rights and the services available to domestic violence victims were promoted through posters, a press release, and an advertisement that were placed in four weekly community newspapers. Two 30-second public service announcements were also developed-one in Portuguese and the other in Cape Verdean-Creole-for cable television.

Michigan

Banner Campaign, 5K Run, Mayoral Proclamation

The Center for Women in Transition in Holland, Michigan, collaborated with a community alliance of prosecutors, probation officers, law enforcement, therapists, judges, educators, and other officials to carry out an awareness campaign that focused on victims of violence. The campaign included the display of ten street banners in English and Spanish at a local shopping area. The banners stated, "There is help for ALL crime victims. There is no place for violence in our community." One banner included crisis hotline phone numbers. The partners also held a 5K run that kicked off NCVRW, followed by a mayoral proclamation. Victims' rights and the events were promoted through buttons, bookmarks, fliers, newsletters, and local television and radio stations.

5K Run/Walk

In Paw Paw, Michigan, the Van Buren County Prosecuting Attorney collaborated with the Victim Services Unit of the local sheriff's department to hold a 5K run/walk to promote awareness of crime victims' rights and services. Before the event, a speaker discussed the rights available to all crime victims and the importance of NCVRW. Two billboards were posted on nearby interstates to promote NCVRW, and awareness materials were developed. The joint campaign also included public service announcements for local television stations, radio stations, and newspapers.

Minnesota

Bookmark Campaign, Student Drama Performance

The Anoka County Victim/Witness Program of Blaine, Minnesota, worked with public and nonprofit agencies in Anoka County to design bookmarks with information on victim services and statistics in English, Russian, and Spanish. Local libraries received the bookmarks during NCVRW, as did other organizations in the community. A local student drama group also developed a performance about victims' rights and resources that was presented at local high schools. The performance was advertised through posters, fliers, radio, and community newspapers.

Mississippi

"Pine Belt Area Victims' Awareness Vigil"

In Hattiesburg, Mississippi, Pine Belt Mental Healthcare Resources collaborated with a local police department, district attorney's office, and victim service provider to hold the "Pine Belt Area Victim's Awareness Vigil." The vigil consisted of speakers, a candlelight ceremony, and the distribution of a variety of promotional items and educational materials, including brochures, pamphlets, and a list of resources. A Clothesline Project of Remembrance was displayed at the vigil. The event was advertised through a local newspaper and posters, and the event was televised.

Missouri

Media Campaign

Barceda Families of Bolivar, Missouri, partnered with various health departments and local outpatient therapy agencies to implement a media campaign that focused on victims of violent crime. The campaign consisted of resource lists, fliers, posters, and newspaper advertisements. The partners also held several events that provided information about victim-related issues, such as victims' rights, victim compensation, and available resources.

Poster Campaign

In Springfield, Missouri, the Victim Center collaborated with other victim service organizations to develop posters and tear-off sheets containing the phone number of a local crisis hotline available for all types of crime victims. The partners placed the posters with tear-off sheets in bathroom stalls in local restaurants, bars, and hospitals during NCVRW and during the rest of the year. NCVRW was promoted through press releases, radio announcements, and a newspaper advertisement.

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The Office for Victims of Crime is a component of
the Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice.