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In 2003, OVC asked the field of victim services to enter the Fulfill
the Promise
Campaign to share their promises to the field. OVC selected the
following
10
inspirational promises, which were highlighted during the National
Candlelight
Observance on April 10, 2003, as part of National Crime Victims'
Right Week. What
is your promise?
Kathleen Connolly, Florence, Alabama:
I promise to work tirelessly to protect the rights of victims and
to keep them informed about those rights on every step of their quest
for justice and their journey to healing.
Beckie Miller, Phoenix, Arizona:
I promise to always remember those whose lives were taken or shattered
by violent crime--remember, so that I may affect change in whatever
way possible.
B. Bruce Cook, Atlanta, Georgia:
I promise to operate a weekly homicide survivor support group in a
safe sanctuary that promotes healing. I also promise to conduct an
annual memorial service during Crime Victims' Rights Week that honors
the memory of murdered loved ones.
Gwendolyn White, Largo, Florida:
I promise to work with my heart as well as my mind; to help ensure
your safety, your rights and your recovery. I promise to help make
the system work for you.
Mariaelena Larrison, Danville, Indiana:
I know that you were not asked to be a victim of a crime. It is not
something that you volunteered for. You may feel hurt, abandoned, violated
and completely devastated, but I promise you this, I will never lie
to you or give you false hope. In the criminal justice system, I will
treat you with compassion and dignity. You will be kept informed of
all processes to the best of my ability. You will be given a voice
in the hopes that your healing may begin, and someday you in turn can
give someone else hope, and it will be passed on.
Melinda Spong, Cincinnati, Ohio:
I promise to provide crisis intervention, including information and
support, so that you may choose the course of action you would like
to follow. I will not make choices for you, nor judge your choices.
Nancy Hunt, Ellsworth, Maine:
My promise, though small, is that I will never lose my compassion
for the people I help. Also, I will continue with education and learning
about resources to better assist each person I have the honor of working
with.
Penny Walls-Brooks, Jefferson City, Missouri:
I promise to be ready when you're ready. It often takes a lot of courage
for crime victims to come forward and seek legal, medical, and mental
assistance. We will be patient--and when the victim is finally able
to allow us to assist him or her, we'll be there.
Debra Donnelly, Hackensack, New Jersey:
I promise that, in spite of the war in Iraq, we will not forget those
on the home front who are terrorized in their homes on a daily basis,
and that we will do everything in our power to insure the continued
availability of services that are critical to the survival and betterment
of life for victims of domestic violence. I also promise, in a time
of budget cuts and shrinking resources, to work as hard as I can to
insure that every victim who seeks services at my agency, Alternatives
to Domestic Violence, gets every bit of help they need.
Alan P. Lai, Seattle, Washington:
We speak your language! Your voice will be heard!
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National Crime Victims' Rights Week
1984-2002
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