Legacy House Receives Grant for 2017 National Crime Victims’ Rights Week
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 9, 2017
INDIANAPOLIS – Indianapolis non-profit Legacy House is receiving a federal grant to promote community awareness of issues and local resources during National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, April 2-8.
Funding will be used to support multiple events during the week, sponsored by Legacy House and partner agencies including the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office, Domestic Violence Network, Marion County Center of Hope, Indiana Coalition to End Sexual Assault, Julian Center, IMPD Victim Assistance Unit, and the Survivors of Violent Death Support Group. Several of these organizations will also join local universities to host events throughout Indianapolis.
The theme for 2017 National Crime Victims’ Rights Week is “Strength – Resilience – Justice.” First designated by President Ronald Reagan in 1981, this annual observance seeks to increase general public awareness and education about the wide range of rights and services available to people who have been victimized by crime.
Legacy House provides counseling and advocacy services free of charge to adults and children who are victims of violence.
“Crime and violence in our community is too easily framed by numbers; how often it occurs, what zip codes have the most crime, and how much it costs us in public safety dollars,” said Michael A. Hurst, executive director of Legacy House. “We can miss the fact that crime and violence affect individuals and families and neighborhoods and communities.”
Hurst added, “How we recover from the trauma of violence is a story of individual resilience and community healing, and these events help us and our community partners tell that story.”
As part of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, Legacy House will host its annual “ROCC-a-Thon” on April 6. This community awareness event held on Monument Circle features local victim services and advocacy organizations who provide information about resources available to victims of all crimes.
Additional events may include a candlelight service for homicide victims, panel discussions on domestic violence, and resource fairs and public rallies to support victims of sexual assault and gender violence.
For additional information about Legacy House activities or victim’s rights and services in Indianapolis, please contact Michael Hurst at 317-554-5272.
For information about national efforts to promote 2017 National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, please visit the Office for Victims of Crime website at www.ovc.gov .
Media Contact:
Curt Brantingham
Media/Public Information Coordinator
317-221-2316 (o) │ 317-525-7450 (c)
