NATIONAL COALITION OF VICTIMS IN ACTION
A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF THE VICTIMS AND FAMILIES AT VIRGINIA TECH
We all know that crime starts with the decisions that people, especially kids, make very early in life. We cannot say that any human being is born to be a criminal or a murderer, and we wonder if an early intervention might have made a difference in the life of the individual who precipitated the Virginia Tech Massacre.
Human beings become criminals because of the events that influence them and the choices they make, all of which relate to the conditions of the society in which they are born and raised. After each such tragedy, we are left to ponder the question as to whether we should attempt to influence those choices to ensure society’s best interest by preventing crime in the first place. The answer, we believe, is a resounding YES, although far more investment is required in the kinds of programs that produce this result. We also recognize that this concept of prevention is but one facet of a multi-dimensional strategy that our nation must embrace in order to come to grips with a crime problem so great that it threatens the very fabric of our society.
In the meantime, it is imperative that we recognize and respond to the hurt that has been inflicted on the Virginia Tech family. The events of April 16, 2007 present a problem for every one of us, not just for those at the University and it is important that these families and students, faculty and citizens of the Virginia Tech Community never be forgotten. YES, it is imperative that crime and violence be eliminated from our way of life; however, until that is accomplished, EVERY VICTIM, EVERY TIME must be remembered, and survivors need to be cared for.
Accordingly, we wish to offer a statement of support at this time that we hope will express our caring, our sympathy and our collective willingness to do everything in our power to help those affected to recover, heal and become whole again.
The resolution is respectfully submitted herewith:
RESOLUTION for VICTIM SUPPORT and HEALING
WHEREAS, We fellow Americans and the community of victim survivors, victim advocates and support agencies across America, unite in offering our heartfelt sorrow upon the devastating tragedy suffered by the Virginia Tech community; and
WHEREAS, We mourn your terrible loss and share your overwhelming grief; and
WHEREAS, Individually and collectively, we extend our compassionate understanding and support as you struggle to honor the lives of your loved ones and friends; and
WHEREAS, We want the Virginia Tech community and other areas of the country affected by these violent acts including students, faculty, and staff as well as the families of the deceased to know that many stand ready to help rebuild a spirit of hope and healing; and
WHEREAS, We ask our fellow Americans to join us in this important mission of service; and
WHEREAS, The importance of families and friends is never as pronounced as during a time of tragedy;
THEREFORE, LET IT BE HEREBY RESOLVED THAT we offer the added support of families who have experienced the murder of a loved one and understand the emotional journey you now begin. For the first time you may realize there is evil in the world, but you will also see unbelievable love and compassion from family, friends and even strangers who share your pain; and
THEREFORE, we jointly offer support not only to those impacted by the massacre at Virginia Tech, but also to all those victimized by crime on a daily basis; and
LET IT BE FURTHER RESOLVED THAT those who have made their commitment as fellow Americans, victim survivors, victim advocates and support agencies across America, do hereby sign this resolution.
FINALLY, LET IT BE FURTHER KNOWN AND HEREBY RESOLVED THAT those who are named in this resolution shall be assured that they may rely upon the undersigned fellow Americans, victim survivors, victim advocates and support agencies across America for assistance for on-going and sustainable service dedicated to the well-being of victims and to the healing of America.
Initiated on the 16th day of April 2007, a day that shall not ever be forgotten, and signed by:
Maryland Crime Victims Resource Center, Inc.
The Franks Foundation (VA)
The Renee Olubunmi Rondeau Peace Foundation (GA)
National Coalition of Victims in Action (NCVIA)
National Organization of Parents of Murdered Children (POMC)
National Organization for Victim Assistance (NOVA)
Jenna Foundation for Non-Violence (NY)
Crime Victims United of California (CVUC)
Kristen Laurite Memorial Foundation (NJ)
Damien Corrente Memorial Youth Foundation (NJ)
Crime Victims Advocacy Council (GA)
National Association of VOCA Assistance Administrators (NAVAA)
South Carolina Victim Advocate Association
South Carolina Victim Assistance Standards and Certification Board
The Capital District Coalition for Crime Victims’ Rights (NY)
Memory of Victims Everywhere (MOVE) (CA)
Carroll County, MD, State’s Attorney’s Office
Connecticut Alliance for Victims of Violence and Their Families (CT-ALIVE)
The New Mexico Justice Project & Real Crimes Network
The Peace Alliance Foundation
People Against Violent Crime (TX)
Striving Towards Eradicating Violence in Ennercities (S.T.E.V.I.E.) (CA)
Justice Solutions
The National Coalition of Survivors for Violence Prevention, Inc. (SVP)
The Maryland State Board of Victim Services (MD)
The Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence
Linking with Victims fro Change Network of Gun Violence Victims
Survivors of Homicide, Inc. (CT)
The New Mexico Victims Rights Project
The Governor’s Office of Victim Advocacy (NM)
The Governor’s Victim Rights Alliance (NM)
Illinois Victims.Org
Debra Puglisi Sharp HOPE Foundation for Surviving Trauma (DE)
Homicide Survivors, Inc., Tucson, Arizona
The National Coalition of Homicide Survivors
The Philadelphia Coalition for Victim Advocacy (PA)
Philadelphia Juvenile Probation Victim Services (PA)
Grief Assistance Program, Inc. (PA)
The Stephanie Lynn McSweeney Memorial Foundation (VA)
People Pedaling Peace (VA)
KlaasKids Foundation (CA)
Columbine High School Shooting Survivors, Craig and Richard (CO)
Justice for Homicide Victims (JHV) (CA)
Justice for Murdered Children (JFMC) (CA)
Peyton Tuthill Foundation for Crime Victims (FL)
South Carolina Victim Assistance Network (SCVAN)
Safe Cities Commission (TX)
The Carol Sund/Carrington Memorial Reward Foundation (CA)
Teen Web Online (NY)
Arizona Voice for Crime Victims (AZ)
East Division Crime Victim Services (PA)
Individual Victims and Survivors from Across the Nation (list of individuals will appear on the Resolution that will be presented to families, survivors and officials at Virginia Tech and will be added to this list to appear on the Resolution.