National Crime Victims' Rights Week

Each April since 1981, the Office of Victims of Services (OVS) has helped lead communities throughout the country in their observances of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW). Rallies, candlelight vigils, and a host of commemorative activities are held each year to promote victims' rights and to honor crime victims and those who advocate on their behalf (please view last year’s video).

National Crime Victims' Rights Week, April 19-24, 2008. Justice for Victims. Justice for All.

This year, Kenny Barnes, Sr. has been nominated by the United States Department of Justice Office for Victims of Crime - to receive the National Service Award for work being done on behalf of victims of crime.

Kenny wishes to extend an invitation to you, family, friends, or if you know of anyone who has been victimized by crime to participate in the events during National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, and to be sure and attend the Awards Ceremony.

National Observance & Candlelight Ceremony
Thursday April 23rd 6:30pm - 7:30pm
The US Chamber of Commerce
1615 H Street, NWWashington, DC

National Crime Victims’ Rights Week Awards Ceremony
Friday April 24th 1:30pm – 3:30pm
Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium1301 Constitution Avenue, NWWashington, DC
A number of my friends have decided to hold a reception after the Awards Ceremony this Friday on the rooftop of The Ellington, with its beautiful view overlooking the city. From my understanding there will be Middle Eastern Cuisine, beverages, entertainment, and hosted by a very special friend from Hollywood California - Omarosa Manigault-Stallworth, The Apprentice and now the Celebrity Apprentice with Donald Trump - Omarosa Official Website – and assisted by the Lady Angels Marketing Team - Welcome to PartyWithTheAngels.com - Home of the Lady Angels Marketing Team!

Please join us and help in our efforts to continue our campaign to reduce violence and gun violence during these difficult economic times.

The Steering Committee is chaired by Ms. Guileine F. Kraft, a Doctoral Candidate at The National Catholic School of Social Service of The Catholic University of America and the invitation is attached for your review and RSVP.

For more information or to contribute contact Guileine Kraft at guikraft@yahoo.com

Til next time...

Mildred Muhammad hosts Support Group for Victims

Happy Easter, Happy Spring, Happy Happy Everything.

I have a wonderful and special message from my friend Mildred Muhammad, the ex-wife of the convicted sniper, John Allen Muhammad.

Please pass along...

After The Trauma will begin a support group for victims and survivors of domestic violence, beginning April 18, 2009. The support group will be held from 2:00pm ~ 4:00pm at 5625 Allentown Road, Suite 200, Camp Springs, MD 20746. Light refreshments will be served.

The phone number has changed as well. The office number is 240-695-5911 and the fax number is 240-965-1887. Please make a note of it.

Thank you for your support...

Sincerely,

Mildred D. Muhammad
Executive Director,
After The Trauma, Inc.
www.afterthetrauma.org

Til next time...

U.S. Massacres Concerns Violence Survivors

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Contact: Brandon Wallace 202.271.7409
Email: wallace.motley@gmail.com
April 4, 2009

Motley Management LLC.
Make Moves, Make Memories, Make a Difference.

VIOLENCE SURVIVORS UNITE TO SUPPORT VICTIMS OF THE BINGHAMTON, NY AMERICAN CIVIC ASSOCIATION AND PITTSBURGH, PA MASSACRES

The William Kellibrew Foundation and ROOT Inc. (Reaching Out to Others Together), on behalf of all victims of crime nation-wide, would like to send condolences to the people of Binghamton, New York and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

The gruesome killing of thirteen innocent victims and critical wounding of four others in this New York center where immigrants were taking their U.S. citizenship examinations is incomprehensible. The brutal murder of immigrants beholden to the idea of living the American dream and actively participating to the fullest in that journey makes plain the notion that no one is immune to violence. The fatal shootings of three Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania police officers in the line of duty on a domestic violence call is tragic.

William Kellibrew IV, National Coordinator for Black Youth Vote for the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation said, “These senseless acts of violence take a toll on our community, but with resolve, we can work to ensure that victims receive adequate attention to get through these tough times.”

Kenneth E. Barnes, Sr., MS, founder and CEO of ROOT Inc, an organization committed to helping communities take a proactive approach to reducing gun violence, stated, "Deplorable assaults on our safety are taking place far too often in America. We must work steadfastly to ensure the eventual cessation of these preventable, unspeakable crimes."

These are immensely challenging atrocities having overwhelming ramifications that resonate through devastated communities. Violence can occur in homes, businesses, civic associations and even religious institutions. In just three weeks, violent episodes amplified by gun usage in Alabama, North Carolina, New York and Pennsylvania have left
34 people dead and the lives of many others traumatically altered forever.

A stronger more steadfast commitment to the prevention of crime through parole regulations, offender rehabilitation and violence prevention education is critical to bringing an end to the senseless violence that plagues all Americans and citizens around the world. We stand in unity and in full support of the people of Binghamton, New York and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, but specifically for the family members who lost loved ones in these horrific tragedies.
# # #

Mother and Two Sons Die at the Hands of Boyfriend

Fenty Calls for More Vigilance at Funeral of Woman, Two Sons

Community Honors Peters' Memory at Funeral

More than 1,000 people gathered at the Greater Mount Calvary Holy Church for the funeral for Erika Peters and her two sons on Wednesday.

By Hamil R. HarrisWashington Post Staff Writer Thursday, April 2, 2009; Page B04

More than 1,000 people paid their respects yesterday to a District mother and her two sons, whose violent deaths last month have sparked a renewed focus by city officials and residents on domestic violence.Mayor Adrian M. Fenty was among those who filed past the caskets at Greater Mount Calvary Holy Church that held the bodies of Erika Peters, 37, and her sons Erik Harper, 11, and Dakota Peters, 10.

D.C. police have charged Peters's boyfriend, Joseph R. Mays, in the slayings, which occurred March 21.

"It doesn't get any more tragic than this," said Fenty (D). "The investigation is ongoing, but there is really a need for more education and more involvement regarding the issue of domestic violence on the police level, the social service level and the community level."

The deaths have brought more scrutiny to the D.C. Office of Child and Family Services, which had been contacted about the family by relatives who reported that Mays, 44, had been abusing Peters and the children.

D.C. Attorney General Peter J. Nickles said that Erika Peters "didn't fall between the cracks."
"We received the hotline call in the fall of 2006, and Children and Family Services performed services and put the family in contact with a Medicaid provider for mental health counseling. The case file was closed in 2007 because the family seemed to establish some stability."

"Fenty Calls for More Vigilance at Funeral of Woman, Two Sons";digg_bodytext="More than 1,000 people paid their respects yesterday to a District mother and her two sons, whose violent deaths last month have sparked a renewed focus by city officials and residents on domestic violence."

At the funeral, Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), D.C. Council member Harry Thomas Jr. (D-Ward 5) and other speakers reflected on the life of a woman who became the city's youth mayor as a high school student, a leader in the deaf community and a dancer who went from New York's Apollo Theater to an inaugural event for President Obama. Peters's sons were remembered by their football coaches and teachers.

"I feel personally that my boy Dakota was ready," a nun from Holy Redeemer Catholic School said during the service. She said that the day before he died, Dakota delivered a report on the book of Genesis. Upon completion, he said, "Now are there any questions?"
Thomas said of Peters, "She was the youth mayor that I worked for."

Norton said, "We need to keep on giving to this family."

Manyka Gaither, whose sister was killed in November, attended the service. Her sister's estranged boyfriend is suspected in the death.
"It is so tragic to keep going through this," Gaither said.