How to Use This Resource Guide

National Victims of Crime Awareness Week is April 26 to May 2, 2009. The Government of Canada, in collaboration with an organizing committee composed of federal officials, provincial victim services agencies and non-governmental organizations, is pleased to present this Resource Guide to help you host events in your community based on this year’s theme – “Supporting, Connecting, Evolving.”

This Guide will assist you in your efforts to raise public awareness of victim issues during National Victims of Crime Awareness Week 2009. Through local events across the country, as well as a national symposium, National Victims of Crime Awareness Week 2009 will demonstrate that we can find the way together to support victims of crime.

The Guide provides resources to help individuals and groups organize and publicize events and activities during the Week and throughout the year. The Guide includes a range of practical tools, valuable tips, and current information about victim issues to help you plan, promote and host your event.

The Guide is divided into modules: event planning; media relations; and a visual approach to help promote your activities. In addition, it includes a selection of success stories, testimonials, fact sheets on crime and victimization, a history of the victim movement in Canada, and a timeline of legislation focused on victims in each province and territory. Finally, an evaluation form is provided which will assist us in improving the Guide for next year.

Tips for using the Resource Guide

• Look over the Guide and decide which materials are most appropriate for your event.
• Establish a planning committee to help plan, implement and evaluate your National Victims of Crime Awareness Week events and activities.
• Develop a work plan, set goals and deadlines, and define areas of responsibilities.

Contents of the Guide

Modules

• The Event Planning module provides tips to help you organize events and activities during the week.
  
• The Media Relations module offers strategies on how to best attract the media to your local event. It contains practical resources such as a sample press release, sample public service announcements, a letter to the editor and a speech for use by local officials.  
  
• The Camera Ready Artwork module includes posters, a banner, letterhead, bookmarks and certificates of appreciation. These materials can be customized for your event or printed as is.
• The Success Stories module contains a number of examples of successful legislation, activities and programs from across Canada. These stories demonstrate how victim services provide concrete support for victims of crime.
  
• The Testimonials module contains a number of personal stories from victims of crime, family and friends of victims, and people who work daily to assist victims. These stories draw attention to the reality that victims face every day across Canada and can assist in understanding the effects of crime.
• The Fact Sheets on Crime and Victimization module, provides overviews that have been collected from a variety of sources. The fact sheets include information on Aboriginal people as victims of crime, police-reported crime in Canada, children and youths as victims of violent crime, seniors as victims of crime, visible minority individuals as victims of crime, the impacts and consequences of criminal victimization, the submission and relevancy of victim impact statements, and measuring violence against women.