Guest Blogger: Chris Castillo, National Outreach Coordinator, Murder Victims’ Families for Reconciliation
Every April in communities across the U.S., crime victims, victim advocates, criminal justice professionals and the general public commemorate National Crime Victims’ Rights Week. For 30 years Texas has been a leader in the victims’ rights movement, and there is no better time than now for Texans to focus on the hard-won rights that victims of crime in our state have earned, according to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice’s Victim Services Division.
Attending at least one crime victims rights week event every year has become a habit for me – specifically a candlelight vigil. It is a place where crime victims can unite to remember loved ones and pay tribute to the struggle of overcoming victimization.
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Read more from Chris and National Crime Victims’ Rights Week on page 4 of the most recent TCADP newsletter:
https://tcadp.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/spring-2012.pdf
Communities across the state will be observing National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, April 22-28, 2012, with vigils and other types of events. Below you will find descriptions and/or links to some of these events.
Austin
Step Up Now! Outreach/Benefit Concert
A concert to commemorate National Crime Victims’ Rights Week
Quenby and the West of Wayland Band open for Hector Ward and the Big Time
Live music, food samples, drink specials and more
Wednesday April 25th, 5-9 pm, at Ray Benson’s Rattle Inn
Tickets are $15 dollars and include a raffle to win a Kindle Fire
For more information follow this link.
Essay Contest Travis County Sheriff’s Office & People Against Violent Crime
3rd Annual “Speak Out” Essay Contest
This year’s theme, “Extending the Vision – Reaching Every Victim”
For details call Deputy Kimberly Orts at (512) 854-3248 or follow thislink.
College Station/ Brazos Valley Area
April 23rd, 2012, 10 a.m.: Press Conference at the Oakdale Mall
April 20th-April 30th: CVAC’s Memorial Wall will be displayed at the Oakdale Mall April 24th, 6 p.m.: Tribute for Victims & Balloon Release at Cheri Lindsey Park April 27th, 2012, 8 a.m.: Victims Rights Breakfast, McKinley Inn, Endicott.
For more information follow this link.
Every Victim, Every Time Crime Victim Conference – April 24 & 25
For more information follow this link.
Collin County
“Empty Shoe Project 2012”
Presented by Collin County Crime Victim’s Council & Collin County District Attorney’s Office
April 22 – 28 – Empty shoes will be displayed on the courthouse steps to represent the number of victims who have walked through the local justice system in the past year.
Shoes are currently being collected and when the event is over, a local church will distribute the shoes on their next mission trip.
For more information – including how to donate – follow this link.
Dallas
Crime Victims’ Rights Week Luncheon
For more information follow this link.
El Paso
“Help, Hope, Healing” Crime Victims’ Memorial Name Reading Ceremony
Sunday, April 22 at 9 am
Crime Victims’ Memorial Reading Garden Pavilion,
Yucca Park – 610 N Yarbrough, El Paso, TX
For more information follow this link.
Houston
National Crime Victims’ Rights Week Observance
Wednesday, April 21, 11 a.m. to noon
Houston City Hall – Reflection Pool Area
For more information follow this link.
San Antonio
For information on a number of events in the San Antonio area follow these links – My San Antonio and Bexar County