National Crime Victims’ Rights Week Events Building Awareness and Access to Resources
Article by: Melinda Eddleman
National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, scheduled April 7-13 and titled Honoring Our Past, Creating Hope for the Future, is led across the country by the Office of Justice Programs and is celebrating this year “the progress made by those before us as we look to a future of crime victim services that is even more inclusive, accessible and trauma-informed.”
As part of annual recognition of crime victims’ rights and to provide the Coastal Bend community with access to knowledge, resources and training addressing complex issues associated with crime, Del Mar College’s (DMC) Student Engagement and Retention Office has partnered with several community agencies to host four events on the College’s campuses. These campus activities also align with the U.S. Department of Education Office of Civil Rights’ Title IX Awareness Campaign that addresses gender discrimination and sexual misconduct.
Del Mar College is dedicated to providing the resources our students need as victims of crime, and we’re committed to assisting students work through any challenges they encounter as a result of being victimized or to prevent such experiences. Co-hosting several events at Del Mar during National Crime Victims’ Rights Week not only brings awareness and resources to our own campus community, the collaboration with the Coastal Bend Coalition for Crime Victim’s Rights also provides educational opportunities and access to resources and services for residents across our area who may not even know they exist.
Events the College is co-hosting include:
• Tuesday, April 9, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., East Campus Harvin Student Center: Mental Health First Aid Course for Adults
In conjunction with the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, this eight-hour course will teach participants how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders, giving attendees the skills needed to reach out, provide initial support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem and help connect them to appropriate care. (Registration required.)
• Wednesday, April 10, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., West Campus Coleman Center: Fourth Annual Community Resource Fair
In conjunction with the Coastal Bend Coalition for Crime Victim’s Rights, participants can learn more about their rights as crime victims and the resources available to both them and their families. Over 20 community agencies will provide information and resources individuals can access right here in the Coastal Bend.
•Thursday, April 11, 6 to 8 p.m., East Campus Gymnasium: Second Annual Health & Wellness Community Event
In conjunction with the Coastal Bend Coalition for Crime Victim’s Rights, this family-friendly healthy activity will test participants’ physical fitness skills with Piloxing (a creative mix between Pilates and Boxing) from 6 to 6:45 p.m. and Zumba from 7 to 7:45 p.m. Information about crime victims’ rights will also be available during this event.
• Friday, April 12, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., East Campus Harvin Student Center: Third Annual Speaker Series: “In their Shoes: Teens and Dating Violence”
In conjunction with the Family Counseling Service’s Crime Victim Services Division, this training opportunity will provide an overview of the dynamics of teen dating violence, along with the current best practices for prevention. (Fee and registration required with April 3 deadline.)
Further details about each event and contact information is available in Viking News on the “Del Mar Events” page: vikingnews.delmar.edu/event-calendar/.
Have more questions about these events? Contact the DMC Student Engagement and Retention Office at 361-698-1277 or dortega3@delmar.edu.
Del Mar College empowers students to achieve their dreams. We offer quality programs, individual attention, outstanding instruction through faculty with real-world experience and affordable costs to credit and noncredit students in Corpus Christi and the South Texas Coastal Bend area. Nationally recognized while locally focused, we’re ranked in the top two percent of community colleges in the country granting associate degrees to Hispanic students (Community College Week). Del Mar College focuses on offering our students programs that match current or emerging career opportunities. Whether students are interested in the fine arts, sciences, business, occupational or technical areas, students get the education they need for the future they want at Del Mar College.