NEWS RELEASE

Contact: David West (west@nsula.edu )
News Bureau
Northwestern State University
Natchitoches, LA 71497
(318) 357-6466

3/19/2003

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NATCHITOCHES-Students at Northwestern State University will join with crime victims, service providers, criminal and juvenile justice and allied professionals and community volunteers to observe the 23rd annual National Crime Victims' Rights Week in Natchitoches April 6-12. This year's theme is "Victim's Rights: Fulfill the Promise."

"We thought it was important to try to make a difference in the community," said Elizabeth Hebert, a social work major from Cow Island, one of six student organizers. "This was a project that all of use felt passionate about. Crime impacts so many people and we wanted to show that there is support available for those who have been victims along their families."

Students organizing the event are in Social Work 3140 taught by Albertina Feldt. Other students working on the project are Jennifer Ingram of Natchitoches, Aimee Primeaux of Kaplan, Da'Nisha Robinson of Campti, Jessica Watson of Many and Travis Williams of Shreveport.

The week begins with a campaign kickoff Monday, April 7 at 9 a.m. in the courtroom at the Natchitoches Parish Courthouse. The kickoff will address legal rights for victims. A prayer vigil will be held April 8 at 6 p.m. at DOVES, located at 305 Royal Street.

On Wednesday, April 9, a program, "Letting go of the Violence" will be held on the Downtown Riverbank in Natchitoches at noon. A rally for local fifth graders will be held along with a balloon release and a butterfly release.

On April 10, Natchitoches will take part in a national observance, "A Nation Unites for Victims' Rights." A candlelight observance will be held at 6:30 p.m. on the steps of the Natchitoches Parish Courthouse.

The observance will conclude with a Freedom Rally on Friday, April 11 at 6 p.m. on the Downtown Riverbank featuring local choirs.

"We hope to raise awareness in the Natchitoches area of the impact crime has on so many people," said Hebert. "It is also important to reach out to crime victims and their families to let them know that Natchitoches and Northwestern supports them and wants to be here to help them."

All local events for National Crime Victims' Rights Week are open to the public.

Main Menu