Who:
Pinellas County Sheriff's Office
Investigative Operations Bureau
-Victim Advocate Unit

Crime Stoppers of Pinellas
Clearwater Police Department Victim Advocate Unit
Largo Police Department Victim Advocate Unit
The State Attorney’s Victim Advocate Unit
The Haven of RCS
Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas, Inc.
The Springtime Club, Inc.
The State Attorney’s Victim Advocate Unit
Community Action Stops Abuse (CASA)
Suncoast Center, Inc.
Personal Enrichment Mental Health Services
Bikers Against Child Abuse (B.A.C.A.)
Florida Coalition Against Human Trafficking
Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD)

What:
The Sheriff's Office Victim Advocate Unit will join multiple agencies and organizations for the 2016 National Crime Victims' Rights Week Observance. This year's theme titled "Serving Victims; Building Trust; Restoring Hope" will celebrate survivors and victims of crime.

When:
The event is scheduled from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 10, 2016.

Where:
The event will be held at Ross Norton Park located at 1426 South Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue in Clearwater.

Why/How:
In observance of National Crime Victims' Rights Week (NCVRW), the Domestic Violence Task Force Victim Advocacy Committee is sponsoring a day filled with fun activities and valuable resources for crime victim survivors and  their families.

Reflecting the spirit of the 2016 theme is: "Serving Victims; Building Trust; Restoring Hope." This event highlights the importance of building partnerships throughout our communities to better address all victims' needs and create a victim response system that is open and accessible to all survivors and victims of crime.

The event which will include activities such as Tai-Chi and Self Defense classes; Arts and Crafts; Self Care and Massages; Line Dancing; a DJ; and Face Painting as well as a free goody bag (limited supplies). The "goody bag" gift will include a drawstring book bag, a safety whistle and light-up flashlight necklaces.

The power of partnerships launched the crime victims’ rights movement and the achievements celebrated during National Crime Victims’ Rights Week each year. Families of murdered children, victims of sexual assault, drunk driving, domestic violence, and other violent crimes mobilized at the grassroots level, joining forces to demand justice for victims of crime. The National Campaign for Victims’ Rights founded by these partners led to President Ronald Reagan’s reforms on behalf of crime victims, his declaration of the first NCVRW, and the creation of the Victims of Crime Act and Crime Victims Fund, whose anniversary the victim advocate community will celebrate during its Kick Off in observation of NCVRW this weekend.

The event is open to the public and will serve as a prelude to the 2016 National Crime Victims' Rights Week which takes place from April 10-16, 2016.

The media is invited to cover.

For further information contact Victim Advocate Bobbie Hodson at 727-580-5474.