National Crime Victims Rights Month
During National Victim Rights Month in April of each year, MOVA hosts a Victim Rights Event to shine a light on critical issues and current work in the field. The annual event plays host to survivors, victims of crime, high-ranking politicians, policy makers, service providers and leaders working toward enhanced victims’ services and rights. MOVA takes this opportunity to recognize the outstanding contributions of crime victim advocates throughout the Commonwealth.
2013 Victim Rights Month Events
2013 Victim Rights Month Award Recipients
2013 Length of Service Recognition
State House Awards Ceremony
April 8th, 2013; 9:00am – 11:00am
Massachusetts State House, Grand Staircase
This event will serve as an opportunity to honor individual survivors and providers and highlight successful legislative achievements that have impacted victims and survivors over the past year.
News Coverage from the Event
Victim Rights Conference
April 26, 2013
9:00AM - 3:30PM (8:30AM - 9:00AM check in/continental breakfast)
Seaport World Trade Center
200 Seaport Blvd, Boston, MA 02210
This Victim Rights Conference will serve as an opportunity to bring together survivors and victim service providers for a day of learning and networking. The day will include a short morning program with recognitions as well as an inspiring morning panel of survivors who have taken action to help empower survivors and prevent crime.
The conference will also include workshops which have been designed based on requests and needs identified by survivors and providers in the community (please see workshop descriptions below).
REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. To register, please click here. For any questions regarding registration, please contact Nicole Miozza, Outreach and Training Coordinator, at (617) 586-1348 or
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COST: There is no cost for this conference
FOOD: light continental breakfast will be served. Time will be allotted for networking and participants to secure lunch on their own.
EXHIBIT TABLES: There will be opportunities for interested programs to host exhibit tables. To request an exhibit table please click here for the exhibitor registration form.
FOR OTHER ACCOMODATIONS: If you are in need of a sign language interpreter please contact Nicole Miozza, Outreach and Training Coordinator at 617-586-1348 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
WORKSHOP DESCRIPTIONS
IT DOES NOT COME WITH INSTRUCTIONS
After a traumatic event many survivors are left with out important instructions to guide them forward.This workshop will highlight programs and advocacy efforts made by both providers and survivors to address identified gaps in information and resources sharing. Panelists will share strategies for responding to the need for information sharing and illustrate creative ways in which they were able to address identified gaps that were survivor driven and informed.
Workshop Presenters
TinaCherry, Louis D. Brown Peace Institute
Carolyn Foster, Boston Area Rape Crisis Center
Kara Hayes, Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office
Workshop Moderator
Pam Friedman, Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office
MAKING POSITIVE CONNECTIONS AND BUILDING COLLABORATIONS IN YOUR COMMUNITY
This workshop will provide tools for connecting with your community. The workshop will discuss how to increase your impact by building connections and engaging the community in your advocacy and prevention efforts.
Workshop Presenters
Mary Kociela, Northwestern District Attorney’s Office
Monica Moran, Pioneer Valley Planning Commission
Regi Wingo, Freeman Center
Workshop Moderator
Amy Waldman, MA Rural Domestic and Sexual Violence Project Massachusetts Department of Public Health
SHARING YOUR STORY
This workshop will explore the experiences of survivor who have chosen to share their story and overcame obstacles to effect positive change. Panelists through their own experience will provide insight into some of the options for other survivors who may be interested in sharing their stories. The workshop will also identify ways in which advocates can support survivors in exploring avenues for sharing their story and through the process of telling their story.
Workshop Presenters
Michael Santos, Bristol County District Attorney’s Office
Ann Wilkinson, My Life My Choice
Donna Jenson, Time to Tell
Workshop Moderator
Stacey Lantz, Boston Area Rape Crisis Center
TECHNOLOGY USE AND MISUSE
This workshop will explore the use and misuse of technology and social media. This workshop will identify not only ways in which social media and technology can be misused but also ways in which in can be used to protect and support victims and survivors or crime. The workshop will also illustrate ways in which advocates can support victims in navigating the world of social media.
Workshop Presenter
Valenda Applegarth, Greater Boston Legal Services
Violence Transformed Display
April 22nd – May 3rd; 9:00am – 5:00pm
Massachusetts State House, Doric Hall
MOVA is proud to co-sponsor the sixth year of Violence Transformed, a two week-long art exhibit highlighting the transformative power of art in the aftermath of violence. Opening Event will be on April 23th in Nurses Hall. Details available at www.violencetransformed.com
Victim Rights Month