CURRENT NEWS

Our Instagram feed (linked below) highlights local events and support groups, new resources for crime survivors, and important policy changes that may impact survivors. Scroll down for social links and follow us today!

Check out our Linktree which includes all of the linked articles from our posts as well as important resources.

Listen to our own rose preston and erika rajo of umcno talk trauma recovery centers on wbok's morning show! (segment starts at 1:02:00)

After experiencing violence in the New Orleans area, you may not know where to find help or info. We’ve created guides to walk you through some of these things like: Crime Victim Reparations (CVR), the Criminal Legal Process (police, DA, court), how to sign up for Custody Status Notifications (of an individual’s incarceration status), how to look up an Orleans Parish criminal court case, and how to apply to the state’s Address Confidentiality Program. We also have a Support Group page. Visit our website www.crimesurvivorsnola.org and scroll down to see buttons for each of these guides! *These guides are made by volunteer-survivors and are for informational purposes only, so always check with the agencies responsible for the programs to get the most current updates. #supportsurvivors #nolacrime #crimevictim #crimesurvivor #traumarecoveryisprevention

Today and tomorrow there are 3 public meetings being held by the Consent Decree Monitoring Team. Right now, we are in a public comment period to weigh in on the plan for NOPD to exit the Consent Decree by first, entering into a 2-year Sustainment Period. After that period, if they meet its conditions, they can be released from the Consent Decree entirely. You can voice your concerns at these meetings, or you can submit a public comment via email, before November 8. Visit consentdecreemonitor.com for more information on how to submit a public comment and also zoom links to public meetings.

Learn more about NOPD's efforts to move into the sustainment period of the Federal Consent Decree and share your thoughts! Upcoming public meetings include: Oct 22 at 2pm: The CD Monitor is holding a public zoom meeting. Visit their website consentdecreemonitor.com for the link! October 24 at 5pm: NOPD @nopdnews is holding a public meeting at the Nora Navra Library, 1902 St. Bernard Ave October 24 at 6pm: @n.o.cop is holding a "Say no to NOPD sustainment" public meeting at 2533 Columbus St. October 28-29: The CD Monitor is planning 2-3 public meetings in person, but details have not yet been announced. Visit their website consentdecreemonitor.com for updates November 8: ALL PUBLIC COMMENTS DUE, submit via email to Clerk@laed.uscourts.gov and visit consentdecreemonitor.com for updates. You can visit consentdecreemonitor.com and view REPORTS for the most recent reports from the monitoring team.

This week, October 23, from 4-6:30 pm, @orleansparishso is hosting an event to raise awareness for Domestic Violence in partnership with other organizations. The event will be held at 2800 Perdido Street in New Orleans (Building A).

@nolaoipm talked with @staradvocates last week on the Monitor's Mic, live on @wbok1230 Watch/listen at the link in our bio! STAR talked about their unique support services for survivors of sexual violence, the importance of accurate crime data, the funding struggles facing local service providers who work with survivors, and the Consent Decree. We've included some highlights in our post. Tickets for STAR's upcoming Champions of Change Gala are on sale now at their website, and you can also donate tickets for survivors to attend! https://star.ngo/

The Morgan Rae Center for Hope at @childrenshospitalnola will be open for services November 11. Services are free, and anyone can refer a child for an appointment. Funded in large part by a philanthropic gift by Jennifer Brandt, "The new, expanded center will house the hospital’s CARE Center and Child Advocacy Center, enabling significantly more children to be served" according to @childrenshospitalnola's press release. “Our goal at the Morgan Rae Center for Hope is to be a bright spot in an otherwise difficult time,” said Dr. Neha Mehta, Child Abuse Pediatrician and Medical Director of the new Morgan Rae Center for Hope. “Hope needs a pathway. And in order to have hope, children have to be able to see a future where things get better. Children who feel safe and understood can begin to have hope, and that hope then gives us goals to start children on their pathways toward healing and new beginnings. The Morgan Rae Center for Hope is our new beginning where many more children will be able to find their pathways with our team by their side.”

Do you have comments or questions about the New Orleans Police Department entering the Sustainment Period* of the Consent Decree? *After the sustainment period, if NOPD meets the terms, they will be released from the Consent Decree Virtual Public Meeting - Tues Oct. 8 at Noon Fairness Hearing - date to be announced or submit questions/comments before Oct. 25 via email to Clerk@laed.uscourts.gov Visit consentdecreemonitor.com for links and details

THIS Tuesday October 8 is National Night Out Against Crime, and we're sharing some New Orleans area events: Lafitte Greenway at St. Louis & N. Prieur, 5:30 pm Hosted by: NOPD, City of N.O. & Partners @nopdnews @cityofnola 723 N. Broad St., 5:30 pm Hosted by: OPSO & Zulu Social Aid & Pleasure Club @orleansparishso @zulusap1909 Holy Faith Temple Baptist Church 1325 Nicholls St. , 5:30-8 pm Hosted by: N.O. Family Justice Center familyjusticecenter Silky’s Bar 3816 Magnolia, 5-9pm Hosted by: Silence Is Violence @silenceisviolence504 Many neighborhoods hold their own events, so you can also check out an event near you! #nationalnightoutagainstcrime #NightOutNOLA

In 2007, the U.S. Congress designated September 25 of each year as the National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims. The resolution states that this day provides “an opportunity for the people of the United States to honor the memories of murder victims and to recognize the impact on surviving family members.” -Office for Victims of Crime. If you are the loved one of a homicide victim, and you aren't sure where to find help, please visit our website crimesurvivorsnola.org (link in bio) for New Orleans area resources including grief and support groups. Our thoughts are with you always. ❤️

The Crime Survivors Speak March on Washington starts today! There are quite a few Survivors from Louisiana participating, including our own Rose Preston! You can follow the events live...just visit the link in our bio for more info from event organizers @cssjustice @safeandjustusa.

Survivors of violence and their families often face staggering medical bills. Did you know that many area hospitals have income-based financial policies to help reduce or even eliminate the out-of-pocket money you owe for medical bills? We've included links to hospital policies in the Greater New Orleans area, with an income calculator so you can see if you may be eligible. Visit crimesurvivorsnola.org and click on the LOCAL HOSPITAL FINANCIAL AID POLICIES button at the bottom of any page of our site. Also check out our guide to Crime Victim Reparations (CVR), a state program that can help you with not just medical but other crime-related costs too. Click on the FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE (CVR) button at the bottom of any page of our site. Our guide is created by survivors for survivors, so the information we share is for planning purposes only. Be sure to reach out to the hospital's financial department directly to get updated information on your particular situation. #supportsurvivors #traumarecoveryisprevention #advocacyheals

Gender-based violence, including sexual abuse/assault and domestic or intimate partner violence, are major violent crimes, too. We've seen many news articles and reports lately on violent crime rates in New Orleans plummeting overall (which is great news), yet they neglect to mention sexual violence, domestic and intimate partner violence, child abuse, stalking, or hate crimes. @nopdnews puts out a weekly report on all types of violent crime under their “Transparency” page, and they are also putting out new quarterly reports on sexual assault and domestic violence. This new and more detailed information is so important! The weekly reports show first and second-degree rape have increased 18% year to date since 2023, while third degree rape has decreased by 8%. Additionally, the quarter 2 report on domestic violence shows a 40% increase when compared with last year, and the same report shows 87% of sex crimes cases remained open, with less than 4% of Q2 cases ending in arrest.

We've pulled together a short list of immediate resources for victim-survivors of violence and their family members in the Greater New Orleans area. Find more at www.crimesurvivorsnola.org #supportsurvivors #traumarecoveryisprevention #advocacyheals

Last week, a jury decided the City of New Orleans violated a young survivor's civil rights by hiring the officer who sexually assaulted her. They awarded her $1 million. Disturbingly, @washingtonpost reports Officer Rodney Vicknair was the "sixth New Orleans officer convicted of crimes involving child sexual abuse since 2011." The @nolaoipm commented: “This case demonstrates the danger of failing to recognize and respond to red flags warning of potential sexual misconduct within a police department. When leadership stated that grooming is not illegal, it signaled a leadership and culture failure on the part of the NOPD.” Read the full article by @washingtonpost linked in our bio, and also check out the rest of their series "Abused by the Badge" which chronicles the nationwide problem of sexual assault and abuse by law enforcement officers.

This #wellnesswednesday, we want to share an amazing local resource created by volunteers in partnership with @imaginewaterworks. Updated last month, this FREE guide includes listings of free and low cost services in the Greater New Orleans area, with everything from basic needs assistance to health care to anti violence resources to housing to disaster relief. There are also sections specifically for transgender and gender non-conforming people, formerly incarcerated people, and disability access and justice. THANK YOU to everyone who volunteered their time to put this together (p.s. we know putting together a guide is a LOT of work!!). The guide is available for download from @imaginewaterworks and @antigravitymag. We’ve also linked it in our bio. You can also find printed copies around town! #supportsurvivors

From Judith Lewis Herman, author of Trauma and Recovery and Truth and Repair: "If trauma is truly a social problem, and indeed it is, then recovery cannot be simply a private, individual matter. The wounds of trauma are not merely those caused by the perpetrators of violence and exploitation; the actions or inactions of bystanders - all those who are complicit in or who prefer not to know about the abuse or who blame the victims - often cause even deeper wounds." -Truth and Repair, p. 3 It's so important to remember – whether you’re a family member, friend, police officer, lawyer, employer or neighbor – the way you respond to the trauma of others MATTERS. Your response can be such a comfort during the most horrific moments of someone's life. But it can also be the cause of deep additional wounds. Avoiding talking about what happened for fear of saying the wrong thing can be very isolating and damaging for a survivor or family member of a victim. You won’t always say the "right" thing, but you can be there (without judgement), be supportive, and listen.

Since we've gotten some new followers recently, we're re-sharing local New Orleans area resources for those impacted by violence. Here is part 2 of our series including specific resources for those impacted by sexual or domestic violence. You can find more resources that #supportsurvivors at our website www.crimesurvivorsnola.org (link in bio). Be sure to check out our Criminal Legal section for an interactive flowchart of how the criminal court process works as well as our Support Group page. @childrenshospitalnola @staradvocates familyjusticecenter umcno #traumarecoveryisprevention #advocacyheals

Since we've gotten some new followers recently, we're re-sharing local New Orleans area resources for those impacted by violence. Here are some specific resources for those impacted by homicide or assault. You can find more resources that #supportsurvivors at our website www.crimesurvivorsnola.org (link in bio). Be sure to check out our Criminal Legal section for an interactive flowchart of how the criminal court process works as well as our Support Group page. @bcmnola @nopdnews @silenceisviolence504 @orleansparishso umcno #traumarecoveryisprevention #advocacyheals

If you are the victim of a crime in New Orleans, or the family member of a victim, and the crime has been reported to the New Orleans Police Department @nopdnews, you can get information on the case and connected with resources. If the case is under investigation and there has not yet been an arrest, call NOPD's Victim Witness Assistance Unit: (504) 658-6795 If there has been an arrest in the case, and it has been referred to the Orleans Parish District Attorney's Office @orleansparishda for prosecution, you can reach out to the DA's Victim Witness Assistance Unit by calling: (504) 822-2414 As the victim of a crime (or family member of a victim) you are entitled to updates to your case as it progresses through the system. To learn more, see Louisiana's Crime Victims' Bill of Rights. Learn more here: www.crimesurvivorsnola.org/victims-rights-laws And also check out our website www.crimesurvivorsnola.org for many more resources that #supportsurvivors

Posts tagged Book Release

Community Mediation Services announces the release of CRIME SURVIVORS GUIDEBOOK (2nd Ed.) & WEBSITE

Rose PrestonDecember 9, 2019Crime Survivors Guide, Crime Survivors, Survivors, Survivors Guidebook, Book Release, Community Mediation Services, Donnelley Center, Shawn M. Donnelley Center, Rose Preston, Crime Survivors Nola, Survivors Nola, Crime Survivors Guidebook