Friday, May 17, 2024
From April 21-27, communities across the country come together to honor crime survivors and their families.
Established in 1981, National Crime Victims’ Rights Week follows a theme each year that encourages individuals and groups to become advocates for crime victims and how to extend services to help them through recovery. According to the Office for Victims of Crime, the 2024 theme is “How would you help? Options, services, and hope for crime survivors.” This theme highlights the importance of creating a safe environment for crime victims to share what happened to them by offering support, options for life-saving services, and, most importantly, hope.
Throughout the week, local organizations have helped spread awareness about how the community can help support crime survivors here in Gatesville and Coryell County.
“The theme is a call to action for communities to get involved,” said Melanie Webb, executive director of Righteous Roots. “Options, services, and hope to survivors is exactly what Righteous Roots is here to provide and one of the ways we are participating is by providing a doorway for community members to get involved.”
As a crisis resource center for those who have been impacted by a crime, Righteous Roots hosted volunteer orientations throughout the week, which covered topics such as policies, procedures, mental health, and cultural competency.
“Volunteer Orientation is one of the first steps a person needs to take to get involved at Righteous Roots,” Webb said. “Once the training and required documents are complete, we are able to host volunteers in a multitude of areas.”
Webb encourages those who are interested in attending a future training to call the Righteous Roots office at 254-651-3600 or check their website and social media pages for updates.
“If you encounter someone who is in immediate danger, you should call 911 without delay,” Webb said. “For individuals needing help and not in immediate danger, I encourage you to make a free and confidential appointment at Righteous Roots. Our case managers will meet with you to identify needs and create an Action Plan to help set you on a path of restoration and healing.”
Righteous Roots is located at 904 E Leon Street, Gatesville, TX 76528.
Hidden Gem Family Center, a local non-profit that provides resources and advocacy for families and victims of crime, flooded their social media throughout the week with information regarding crime victims’ services and their rights as a victim.
“The importance of this week is to bring awareness to our community about Crime Victim Services and what our county provides to those who need it and ways that you can get involved,” said Jennifer Featherston, Executive Director of Hidden Gem.
The organization also encouraged their followers to wear purple on Thursday, April 25 to stand in solidarity with survivors. Purple symbolizes courage and unity, reminding survivors that they are not alone in their journey toward healing and justice, according to a press release from District Attorney Dustin H. Boyd announcing the observance of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week.
The address for Hidden Gem Family Center is 115 S 7th Street, Gatesville, TX 76528. To learn more about their resources or to get involved, visit www.hiddengemfamilycenter.org
Learn more about Crime Victims’ Rights Week by visiting the Office for Victims of Crime website, www.ojp.gov
