A number of local agencies and community groups are getting together this week to observe Crime Victims' Rights Week, April 26 – May 2, 2009.  This year's theme is "25 Years of Rebuilding Lives" celebrating the achievements of the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA). For 25 years, VOCA has provided the assistance people need in the aftermath of crime. In 2006, VOCA funds supported more than 4,400 public and non-profit agencies serving almost 4 million victims and paid more than $440 million in victim compensation.

EVENTS

Tuesday, April 28
The AVON Foundation, in collaboration with the PGA TOUR Wives Association and the Quail Hollow Championship brings a non-competitive family-friendly walk to raise critical funds and awareness to end domestic violence in North Carolina.  Walk The Course Against Domestic Violence is the first-ever walk on a PGA TOUR course. The exclusive Quail Hollow Club golf course is the home of the famous Quail Hollow Championship. 

The top 100 fundraisers will be invited to the Walk The Course post-walk reception with professional golfers participating in the Quail Hollow Championship.  All proceeds will be awarded to United Family Services' Shelter for Battered Women and The Shelter of Gaston County to support education, prevention and direct services to those in need.  

Go to www.WalkTheCourseAgainstDV.org or call 866-646-2866 to pre-register or make donations.  On-site registration and check-in begins at 3 p.m. at Forest Hill Church on Park Road. All walkers will be shuttled to the Quail Hollow Club from Forest Hill. The 18-hole walk ($25) begins at 5:15 PM. The 9-hole walk ($20) begins at 6:15 PM. Practice rounds by PGA professionals are scheduled at 5:00 PM.

Thursday, April 30
The Crime Victims' Coalition will host their second annual Crime Victims' Rights Luncheon honoring survivors, volunteers and those working with crime victims.

The Crime Victims' Coalition is committed to protecting the rights of crime victims and to recognize outstanding individuals and professionals working with crime victims and their families. 

The luncheon will be held at Mount Moriah Primitive Baptist Church, 747 West Trade Street, Charlotte from 12 to 1:30 p.m. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Rodney Monroe will be the keynote speaker. 

For more information call (704) 432-1568.

Participating agencies include Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Carolina Office Solutions, Charlotte Area Fund, Federal Bureau of Investigations – Charlotte Division, Mecklenburg County Community Support Services Women's Commission, Mecklenburg County District Attorney's Office, Monroe Police Department, Mothers of Murdered Offspring, Retired Veterans, United Family Services Victim Assistance / Rape Crisis, U.S. Attorney's Office – Western District of North Carolina and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.

All Week:
The University of North Carolina-Charlotte's Campus Police Department has a number of events planned educating students and faculty alike. With a focus on public awareness, their plans include educational efforts in Housing and Residence Life addressing unlocked doors and notifications left on vehicles where valuables have been left in clear view. For more information contact Jeff Mulholland at (704) 687-0000. 

Silent Witness Initiative silhouettes representing domestic violence related homicide victims will be on display in a number of locations throughout the county.

For more information on the effects of domestic violence in our community, call Community Support Services at (704) 432-SAFE (7233) or CSS Women's Commission at (704) 336-3210 or United Family Services' Shelter for Battered Women 24-hour hotline at (704) 332-2513.