National Crime Victims' Rights Week 2021

 

Dr. Rochelle Hanson, National Mass Violence Victimization Resource Center Director of Training and Technical Assistance provides an update on the development of a mass violence core curriculum. The curriculum is for victim services providers, mental and behavioral health professionals, first responders and emergency managers.

 

Dr. Angela Moreland-Johnson talks about the importance that first responders seek mental health support. "First responders are often exposed to traumatic event after traumatic event throughout the day without much downtime in between.

 

Dr. Dan Smith, National Mass Violence Victimization Resource Center Director of Technology and Resources talks about the NMVVRC's recently-launched smart device app called 'Transcend NMVC'. The app was created to help reduce the risk of developing problems after criminal victimization and enhance recovery for those already experiencing difficulties. 

 

Dr. Alyssa Rheingold, National Mass Violence Victimization Resource Center Director of Response and Recovery talks about resilience after mass violence incidents: "It is not about bouncing back to who you were before a mass violence incident, but rather it is learning to tend to wellness and current daily living while gently carrying our past experiences."

 

Mary Fetchet, Executive Director of Voices Center for Resilience, an organization she founded after her son Brad died in the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. She talks about the importance of tending to the profound, long-lasting and evolving needs victims of mass violence experience.

 

 

Dion Green, Founder & CEO of the Fudge Foundation, created in August 2019 after a mass shooting in Ohio. He talks about the importance of seeking mental health support following mass tragedies. "I encourage all men of all races, let’s break the stigma and start getting the help that we need."

 

 

Brittany Thomas, survivor of the Heath High School shooting in Paducah, Kentucky on Dec 1, 1997, talks about the importance of recognizing and caring for survivors of traumatic events that witness violence and may not have suffered physical injuries. "Survivors and victims of crime should never have to stand outside the circle and hustle for their right to be seen. They should never have to fight for access to services or prove that they are deserving. A person’s access to services should never be determined upon the visibility of their wounds."

 

Dr. Alyssa Rheingold talks about how a community defines itself and the Mother Emanuel AME Church shooting in Charleston, S.C. "As victim service providers, we not only should tend to individuals and families impacted by mass violence but also consider how we are going to address community needs, as they may be complex and different."

 

Debra Howard Burton, law enforcement victim advocate, talks about how response to mass violence incidents has changed in the last 30 years. "We want to make sure that as victims and survivors of mass violence incidents that you are treated with dignity and professionalism and compassion."

 

Julie Paez, survivor of the Inland Regional Center shooting in San Bernardino, California on Dec. 2, 2015, talks about the mass violence in the workplace and the importance of the workplace community. "Whether a company has coverage or not, they must be prepared to provide the immediate mental health resources their employees need. Mental health resources are a necessity and one of the greatest betrayals to an injured employee – both physical and emotional injuries – is the realization that their employer doesn’t have their back."