National Crime Victims’ Rights Week

Tara Aquila — Thu, 27 Apr 2023 23:39:17 +0000

National Crime Victims’ Rights Week Tara Aquila Thu, 04/27/2023 - 19:39

You see it on the news almost every night. You see it on social media on a regular basis. And, unfortunately it hits home for so many people in New Jersey and across the United States. Crime continues to be an issue and it causes a ripple effect across communities.

Crime results in loss, grief, and trauma, and alters the lives of so many people.

Awareness is one way to work toward change. The amplification of voices is another way to work toward change.

This year, the National Crime Victims’ Rights Week is April 23-29, 2023. This is an opportunity to educate the community about the rights of crime victims and give folks the chance to amplify their voices in support of victims and survivors. There are events occurring nationally as well as local.

The theme this year is “Survivor Voices: Elevate. Engage. Effect Change”.

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Here are some National Crime Victims’ Rights Week events that may be of interest:

Center for Family Services’ Grief Support Huddle – Honoring our Loved Ones during National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, 4/28/2023 at 12:00pm, free and online. Register here: https://linktr.ee/cfs_gtl
Elevating Your Voice with Trauma Recovery Yoga, Online and Free, 4/28, 12-1pm: https://ovc.ojp.gov/events/elevating-your-voice-trauma-recovery-yoga
Other events can be found here: https://ovc.ojp.gov/events

If you are a victim of a crime, including the loss of a loved one to homicide, you have rights in the state of NJ. Here is the NJ Crime Victims’ Bill of Rights: https://camdencountypros.org/unit-list/victim-witness/crime-victims-bill-rights/

Processing the emotional impact of a crime can be a challenge, and Center for Family Services has a host of programs to help you do so. Please call Center for Family Services’ Access line at 1-877-922-2377 or head to the website https://www.centerffs.org/get-help to learn more.

Your county’s Prosecutor’s Office Victim Witness Unit is there to help you navigate the legal impact. Many counties have handbooks online. Here is Camden County’s Handbook for Victims and Witnesses: https://camdencountypros.org/unit-list/victim-witness/handbook-victims-witnesses/ Spanish Language Version: https://camdencountypros.org/unit-list/victim-witness/handbook-victims-witnesses/handbook-for-victims-and-witnesses-en-espanol/

In addition, the Victims of Crime Compensation Office may provide assistance as well. From their website: VCCO is committed to serving crime victims and their families. VCCO staff is ready, willing and able to assist those affected emotionally, financially and/or physically by a crime. If you or someone you know has been the victim of a crime, you may qualify for reimbursement, so please contact VCCO, we are here to help. Victims of Crime Compensation Office: https://www.njoag.gov/vcco/vcco-victims/

Blog tags

Victims and Trauma

Survivor Awareness

Grief and Loss

Community Challenges

Amy Romaine, MA, ATR-BC, LPC, ACS, ATCS, BC-TMH

Clinical Supervisor, Grief and Traumatic Loss Services

Love and Loss

Tara Aquila — Wed, 09 Feb 2022 16:12:41 +0000

Love and Loss Tara Aquila Wed, 02/09/2022 - 11:12

Walking into stores during the month of February, we are bombarded with images of flowers, chocolate and hearts in celebration of Valentine’s Day. These images can often be grief triggers, symbolizing love that was lost, love that will never be felt again, relationships that have permanently been altered and can’t be experienced in person. It can stop us in our tracks. How do we move from being frozen and stuck? One way is to use that very same imagery to transform the experience. We can shift these images to take on additional or new meanings, helping us to integrate our grief experiences.

Flowers: Roses are often a symbol used to express love. Let’s shift that symbol for a moment, and look at the rose as a way to check-in with ourselves, identifying a thorn and a petal of our grief experience. The thorn will represent a challenge or a difficulty we have experienced while grieving. The petal will represent a strength, a gratitude or something new we have experienced while grieving. What is your thorn and your petal today? If it feels comfortable for you, share your thorn and petal with a trusted grief ally.

Chocolate: We can also shift our relationships to objects, songs, and experiences. How did your loved one express their love to you while they were alive? Is there something that represents that love? Perhaps you shared cupcakes with your brother on special occasions. Maybe for the month of February, you try out a new cupcake recipe or a new cupcake flavor at your favorite bakery. Perhaps your grandmother inspired your love of art and there is a drawing pencil or a piece of artwork that reminds you of her. Maybe for the month, you place that pencil or that artwork in a prominent place at home, or maybe you make that gallery painting your wallpaper on your phone. Perhaps your father sung you the same lullaby at night when you were a child. Maybe for the month, you challenge yourself to learn that song.

Hearts: Community is a protective factor when grieving. When we feel more connected and less alone, it creates space for integration. We welcome you to participate in a virtual community art project. We will be creating a collage of hearts with names of those who have died. Contact Amy Romaine, aurban@centerffs.org, for details on how to participate.

So next time you head into the supermarket, see a commercial or hear a radio ad that directs your mind and heart towards love that has been lost take these imagery transformative ideas into consideration. The shift in what these images can mean to you may help you navigate your grief experience in a new light and maybe even introduce a new tradition to honor one that has passed.

If you or someone you know is experiencing challenges in your everyday life, including grief, loss, or depression, we’re here to help. Private, confidential services specialized for adults, children, teens, and families are available. Call 877.922.2377 or email access@centerffs.org to schedule an appointment.

Blog tags

Amy Romaine, MA, ATR-BC, LPC, ACS, ATCS, BC-TMH

Clinical Supervisor, Grief and Traumatic Loss Services