Lassen Family Services, the local agency tasked with providing assistance to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, child and elder abuse, has received funding from several national organizations dedicated to increasing awareness of crime victims’ rights and services during 2015 National Crime Victims’ Rights Week.
Funds for the program are being made available by the National Association of VOCA Assistance Administrators through a grant from the Office for Victims of Crime, within the Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice.
This year the week of April 19th – 25th, is National Crime Victim’s Rights Week. The annual observance, first designated by President Ronald Reagan in 1981, seeks to increase general public awareness of, and knowledge about the wide range of rights and services available to people who have been victimized by crime. The theme for 2015 crime victims’ week is Engaging Communities – Empowering Victims.
Since 2004, the yearly victim’s rights awareness program has provided financial and technical assistance to more than 720 community projects that promote victim and public awareness activities, and innovative approaches to victim outreach and public education about victims’ rights. More than 125 applications that were submitted nationwide and Lassen Family Services was one of the 194 projects recommended by the National Association of VOCA Assistance Administrators and selected for funding by OVC for 2015.
According to OVC Director Joye Frost, the Community Awareness Project helps generate widespread public awareness of crime victims’ rights and needs, and the importance of engaging all people in America in victim assistance efforts.
According to Ms. Frost, “This year’s National Crime Victims’ Rights Week theme reminds us of the importance to create a victim response system that is open and accessible to all survivors and victims of crime.”
“It is very important that we build partnerships throughout our communities to better address all victims’ needs by believing them and offering support and resources regardless of where they disclose their victimization. Everybody plays a role,” Frost said.
Melissa Downing, Executive Director of Lassen Family Services, said the Community Awareness Project that will be sponsored in Lassen County is the 2nd annual ‘Walk a Mile in Their Shoes.’ Several local law enforcement and community agencies that provide assistance to victims of crime have committed to supporting the project by participating in the walk, chili cook-off and information fair.
“The support from NAVAA and OVC for our 2015 National Crime Victims’ Rights Week activities will help us help crime victims,” Downing said. “Members of our community are encouraged to help promote justice through service to crime victims by participating in the Walk a Mile in Their Shoes and Chili Cook-Off supporting victim assistance programs throughout the year. Whether you work for a grocery store or a public service agency, we can engage, empower and unite as we take a stand against crime. As stated by Anthony J. D’Angelo – Without a sense of caring, there can be no sense of community.”
The 2nd Annual Walk a Mile in Their Shoes and Chili Cook-Off will be held on April 25th, from 10:00 to 2:00 at Susanville Memorial Park and Community Center. The first 500 to register for the walk will receive a free t-shirt. Registration opens on March 1st.
For additional information about the 2015 Walk a Mile in Their Shoes and Chili Cook- Off activities or about victims’ rights and services in Lassen County, please contact Ashley Fisher, Lassen Family Services, at 530-257-5459 or visit the LFS website at www.lassenfamilyservices.org. For information about national efforts to promote 2015 National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, please visit the Office for Victims of Crime website at http://www.ovc.gov.
