Held in Macomb County but not limited to county residents
By Barb Pert Templeton
The Crime Victim Rights Unit of the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office has announced the first-ever crime survivor event: “Options, Services, and Hope for Crime Survivors.”
The Crime Victim Rights Unit was awarded a federal grant offered by the National Association of VOCA Assistance Administrators (NAVAA) to fund this event.
The free event will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday, April 26 at the Velocity Center in Sterling Heights. A free lunch will be served from 1 to 2 p.m.
The plan is to provide essential support and resources to survivors and their families within the community. Individuals can expect to receive information explaining the criminal justice system and showcasing available support services, and all may remain anonymous if they so choose.
Discussions will cover topics including victim’s rights, available support services, and coping strategies. Attendees will engage with professionals, ask questions, and network with fellow survivors. Lunch will be provided, fostering a supportive environment so survivors can connect with each other.
“Justice extends beyond the courtroom. We are committed to those affected by crime. We want our event to be a beacon of hope, a gateway to resources, and a testament to our dedication to serving crime victims and our community,” said Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido
Blue Water Healthy Living caught up with event organizer Heather Morman, crime victim advocate unit chief, to pose some questions about the debut of this unique event.
Blue Water Healthy Living: Who are you targeting with this type of event?
The first ever crime survivor event will be held on Friday, April 26 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Crime Victim Advocate Unit Chief Heather Morman: This event is free and open to the public. This event is dedicated to crime survivors and those loved ones who wish to gain knowledge of the resources and referrals that are available to individuals navigating the criminal justice system. The public is welcome to attend and learn about the resources available to crime victims.
Blue Water Healthy Living: Is there a specific ‘category’ of crime victims this aims to assist or is it wide open?
Morman: The Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office handles cases involving victims of all crimes. The information that will be shared will be beneficial to anyone affected in any crime category.
Blue Water Healthy Living: How did the idea for this event come about?
Morman: Crime victims have specific rights, but many victims and their families do not know that. The Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office Crime Victim Rights Unit notifies crime victims about their rights and connects them to resources. The Prosecutor’s Office is tasked with educating victims on their rights and advocating that these rights are acknowledged and protected throughout the criminal justice process.
Blue Water Healthy Living: Do attendees have to be a Macomb County resident?
Morman: No, they do not have to be a resident of Macomb County. The Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office focus is on Macomb County crime victims, but the information that will be shared will be beneficial to all crime survivors and supporters despite their County of residence.
Blue Water Healthy Living: Will this be a seminar format with different sessions to choose from or one big presentation?
Morman: The event will begin at 11:00 am. Attendees will be able to visit vendors who are in partnership with our office and obtain information about the services that these agencies provide. We will have a panel discussion that will be from 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm. The panel will include a Macomb County Circuit Court Judge, a Macomb County District Court Judge, the Macomb County Sheriff, an Assistant Macomb County Prosecuting Attorney, a Crime Victim Advocate from the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office, a representative from Turning Point, which is a domestic violence and sexual assault agency located here in Macomb County, and a representative from Care House who provides supportive services to children and their families. The panel will be facilitated by a Macomb County Crime Victim Advocate.
Blue Water Healthy Living: Can you share an example of a service agency in the county that a crime victim might be directed to and how they could assist the victim?
Morman: Turning Point is an agency that we partner with that provides comprehensive services for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. Some of the services that they can provide include much-needed safety planning, individual counseling, group counseling, and shelter services. In some cases, the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office assists with transportation to and from court and helps with some other costs. Our Crime Victim Rights Unit also helps victims get restitution for any eligible financial loss incurred as a result of the crime, among other ways we assist.
Blue Water Healthy Living: Do attendees need to pre-register? If so, how do they do that?
Morman: No, they do not need to pre-register for the event. This event is open to the public. Lunch will be provided.
Blue Water Healthy Living: What was the dollar amount of the federal grant offered by the National Association of VOCA Assistance Administrators (NAVAA)?
Morman: The National Association of Vocal Assistance Administrators does great work. We were thrilled to receive approval and $5,000 for this crime victim event.
Blue Water Healthy Living: So often crime victims are reluctant to come forward or be identified as such, does this event allow them to remain anonymous?
The Crime Victim Rights Unit was awarded a federal grant offered by the National Association of VOCA Assistance Administrators (NAVAA) to fund this event.
Morman: They don’t have to show identification or fill out any paperwork that would share their identities. Victim privacy is of the utmost importance to the Prosecutor’s Office. We are mindful of victim’s information as we handle criminal cases throughout the public court process. Attendees will not be asked if they are crime survivors. It is their decision if they wish to disclose.
Blue Water Healthy Living: What’s the bottom line in offering something like this to the community – what do organizers hope to ultimately provide to victims of crime and their families?
Morman: We want to provide crime survivors information on how to navigate the criminal justice system, educate survivors on options and resources that are available to them and bring hope to these survivors that have been through so much. We have assembled a panel of experts and resource centers that will speak about how they ensure victims’ rights are valued and protected.
Blue Water Healthy Living: Will the Crime Victim Rights Unit at the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office be gathering statistics from the event in order to perhaps make this an annual offering for crime victims?
Morman: The Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office wants to hear from the public on how we can continue to empower and support crime survivors. We hope to make this an annual event.
The Velocity Center, 6633 18 Mile Road, Sterling Heights, MI 48314.
For more information about “Options, Services, and Hope for Crime Survivors,” please contact Macomb County Crime Victim Advocate Unit Chief Heather J. Morman at (586) 469-5675.
