Local Center Plans Programs During Crime Victim's Week
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Jennifer [email protected]
A women's self-defense class, a play addressing sexual assault and educating local students on bullying and dating violence all will be a part of this year's Crime Victims' Rights Week in Kosciusko County,[[In-content Ad]]National Crime Victims' Rights Week is April 22-28. The theme for this year's victims' rights weeks is "Victims' Rights: Every Victim, Every Time," which recognizes victims of crime who deserve support and services to cope with the aftermath of abuse.
The week brings communities together to raise public awareness about victims' rights, protection and services. Kosciusko County has recognized the week for the past five years.
Becky Moreno, chairperson for this year's event, has been meeting with an advisory board consisting of representatives from Kosciusko County social agencies and businesses to plan this year's week.
"The goal of the week is to help people understand no community is immune to violent crimes," Moreno said.
The committee was formed last fall to look into creating a facility where victims of domestic violence and sexual assault can go to get assistance.
It is the committee's vision to create a one-stop facility where counselors, law enforcement and ministers would be available in one facility to assist the victims.
Moreno has served as the victim assistance coordinator for the Victim Service Center through the Warsaw Police Department for the past 11 years.
The center is at 600 E. Winona Avenue, Suite #8, and offers crisis counseling, criminal justice advocacy, assistance in filing compensation claims and filing for protective orders and 24-hour on-call advocacy.
"We want people who have been effected by violence to know there is help available and that they are not alone," Moreno said.
Their are several activities planned for this year's crime victims' rights week.
A video called Safety NET (No Easy Target) Kids will be shown at Caudill's ATA Black Belt Academy, Warsaw, April 23 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
The video teaches children how to say no or respond to unwanted touching, and what to do if a stranger tries to lure them away.
"The kids will watch this video in a fun, learning environment, one that does not promote fear and instills confidence," said Suzanne Caudill, owner of Caudill's ATA Black Belt Academy.
"The one vital trait to keeping kids safe is confidence," Caudill said.
An adult self-defense class for women also will be held at the academy April 23 from 6:45 to 7:45 p.m. The event is free of charge, and those who attend will learn blocking, striking and kicking techniques.
A play titled "The Man of Her Dreams," directed and produced by local dramatist Bob Firari, a member of Celebration Church, will be performed.
The play will take place April 26-28 at Celebration United Methodist Church at 7 p.m. each night.
The play focuses on sexual assault, and cast members consist of local high school students, educators, business owners and members of Celebration Church.
The play will be free of charge, but donations will be accepted and donated to the Victim Service Center.
Moreno said the center hopes to also team up with Lifetouch Ministries to offer presentations on date rape and dating violence at local high schools, and presentations on bullying at elementary and middle schools.
Other plans for the week include teaming up with local coffee shops to display contact information for the Victim Service Center on the cups, and distributing flower seed packets at local businesses with the center's contact information.
For more information about National Crime Victims' Rights Week or the Victim Service Center, call Moreno at 574-372-9539 or visit www.victimservicecenter.org
Latest News
E-Editions
A women's self-defense class, a play addressing sexual assault and educating local students on bullying and dating violence all will be a part of this year's Crime Victims' Rights Week in Kosciusko County,[[In-content Ad]]National Crime Victims' Rights Week is April 22-28. The theme for this year's victims' rights weeks is "Victims' Rights: Every Victim, Every Time," which recognizes victims of crime who deserve support and services to cope with the aftermath of abuse.
The week brings communities together to raise public awareness about victims' rights, protection and services. Kosciusko County has recognized the week for the past five years.
Becky Moreno, chairperson for this year's event, has been meeting with an advisory board consisting of representatives from Kosciusko County social agencies and businesses to plan this year's week.
"The goal of the week is to help people understand no community is immune to violent crimes," Moreno said.
The committee was formed last fall to look into creating a facility where victims of domestic violence and sexual assault can go to get assistance.
It is the committee's vision to create a one-stop facility where counselors, law enforcement and ministers would be available in one facility to assist the victims.
Moreno has served as the victim assistance coordinator for the Victim Service Center through the Warsaw Police Department for the past 11 years.
The center is at 600 E. Winona Avenue, Suite #8, and offers crisis counseling, criminal justice advocacy, assistance in filing compensation claims and filing for protective orders and 24-hour on-call advocacy.
"We want people who have been effected by violence to know there is help available and that they are not alone," Moreno said.
Their are several activities planned for this year's crime victims' rights week.
A video called Safety NET (No Easy Target) Kids will be shown at Caudill's ATA Black Belt Academy, Warsaw, April 23 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
The video teaches children how to say no or respond to unwanted touching, and what to do if a stranger tries to lure them away.
"The kids will watch this video in a fun, learning environment, one that does not promote fear and instills confidence," said Suzanne Caudill, owner of Caudill's ATA Black Belt Academy.
"The one vital trait to keeping kids safe is confidence," Caudill said.
An adult self-defense class for women also will be held at the academy April 23 from 6:45 to 7:45 p.m. The event is free of charge, and those who attend will learn blocking, striking and kicking techniques.
A play titled "The Man of Her Dreams," directed and produced by local dramatist Bob Firari, a member of Celebration Church, will be performed.
The play will take place April 26-28 at Celebration United Methodist Church at 7 p.m. each night.
The play focuses on sexual assault, and cast members consist of local high school students, educators, business owners and members of Celebration Church.
The play will be free of charge, but donations will be accepted and donated to the Victim Service Center.
Moreno said the center hopes to also team up with Lifetouch Ministries to offer presentations on date rape and dating violence at local high schools, and presentations on bullying at elementary and middle schools.
Other plans for the week include teaming up with local coffee shops to display contact information for the Victim Service Center on the cups, and distributing flower seed packets at local businesses with the center's contact information.
For more information about National Crime Victims' Rights Week or the Victim Service Center, call Moreno at 574-372-9539 or visit www.victimservicecenter.org
Have a news tip? Email [email protected] or Call/Text 360-922-3092