Overview of the Resource Guide

Welcome to the 2003 National Crime Victims' Rights Week Resource Guide, published by Justice Solutions and the U.S. Department of Justice, Office for Victims of Crime. This year marks the 23rd anniversary of the official commemoration of National Crime Victims' Rights Week (NCVRW), a time-honored tradition observed by crime victims and survivors, and those who serve them in the United States. It is also the 20th anniversary of the Office for Victims of Crime, U.S. Department of Justice, which has provided leadership and guidance to ensure comprehensive, quality services for victims of crime since 1983.

The theme for 2003 NCVRW is "Victims' Rights: Fulfill the Promise." This year's graphic artwork and text resources are designed to illustrate the accomplishments of the field of victim assistance during the last three decades, as well as the promises we must fulfill to victims today and in the future: to treat them with compassion and dignity; to help them recover in the aftermath of crime; and to assist them in understanding and implementing their legal rights.

The contents of this Resource Guide include: public education and community awareness materials; information about electronic resources available from the National Criminal Justice Reference Service and Office for Victims of Crime Resource Center; a comprehensive web site listing; resources to engage the news media in promoting NCVRW; resources to maximize communication and public awareness of victims' rights and needs; statistical overviews that address 19 topics relevant to crime and victimization; a listing of toll-free information and referral numbers for victim assistance; and camera-ready artwork for posters, bookmarks, buttons, ribbon cards, bumper stickers, a cover page for NCVRW-related documents and NCVRW letterhead.

The Resource Guide will help victim service providers and allied professionals plan and implement public awareness activities to commemorate not only 2003 NCVRW, but also victim assistance activities throughout the year. Victim advocates and allied professionals should take a few moments to review the following information regarding the organization of the 2003 NCVRW Resource Guide. All contents are organized within the following six main topics as they appear within your 2003 Resource Guide folder (from the top left forward, to the top right forward):

1. STATISTICAL OVERVIEWS AND RESOURCES

• Statistical Overviews
  • Child Abuse and Victimization
  • Cost of Crime and Victimization
  • Crime and Victimization
  • Crime in Higher Education
  • Cybercrime
  • Domestic Violence
  • Drunk Driving
  • Elder Crime and Victimization
  • Financial Crime
  • Hate and Bias Crimes
  • Homicide
  • Juvenile Crime and Victimization
  • Mental Health Issues of Victims
  • Rape and Sexual Assault
  • School Crime and Victimization
  • Stalking
  • Substance Abuse and Crime and Victimization
  • Terrorism and Mass Violence
  • Workplace Violence and Victimization
• Accessing Information: OVC Resource Center and Other Services
• NCVRW Resource Guide Co-Sponsors
• Resource Guide Evaluation Form

2. LANDMARKS IN VICTIMS' RIGHTS AND SERVICES

• Crime Victims' Rights in America: A Historical Overview

3. WORKING WITH THE MEDIA

• Sample Press Release
• Sample Public Service Announcements
• Sample Opinion/Editorial Column

4. CAMERA-READY ARTWORK

Note: Camera-ready artwork is available in PDF format only.

• Certificate of Appreciation
• Cover/Title Page
• Bookmarks
• Bumper Stickers
• Buttons
• Logos
• NCVRW Letterhead
• Ribbon Cards
• National Toll-Free Information and Referral Telephone Numbers
• Posters

5. MAXIMIZING COMMUNICATION AND AWARENESS

• Sample Speech
• Notable Quotables
• Sample Sermon
• Sample Proclamation
• Twenty Tips for Community Awareness and Public Education
• Commemorative Calendar

FREE PUBLIC EDUCATION POSTER

The Office for Victims of Crime is pleased to announce that it is offering a 22" x 28" theme poster to enhance your public education efforts during National Crime Victims' Rights Week and throughout the year. You will receive the large poster in conjunction with the 2003 NCVRW Resource Guide.