Crisis Center Plans Community Event to Raise Awareness about Victims’ Rights

TWIN FALLS, Idaho (KLIX) – The Crisis Center of the Magic Valley, with support from local partners such as St. Luke’s CARES and the City of Twin Falls, has planned a “Crime Victims’ Rights Awareness” event on April 16 at City Park.

“We want people to be able to have fun at this event for the community,” said CCMV Director Donna Graybill, “but also to bring awareness to the victims of crime.”

The center started in the early 1980s and was first called Volunteers Against Violence before becoming a nonprofit shelter in 1989. CCMV provides supportive services to victims of violent crime, including shelter and a 24-hour hotline. In 2015 alone it served 1,231 victims, Graybill said. The primary victims it serves are women and children of domestic violence and sexual crime.

The five hours planned at City Park – from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. – is not a fundraiser but an informational and awareness event that seeks to inform residents of crime victims’ rights.

“We are hoping to draw people, especially those who have been impacted by crime, that they are not alone,” Graybill said, noting that domestic and sexual crimes are more prevalent than some might realize; but there also are organizations such as CCMV that are doing something to help. “There are all types of violent crime.”

St. Luke’s CARES, which helps children of sexual abuse, will have a table at the event to provide information about child safety and how to report alleged abuse, among other things, said CARES Coordinator Anne Tierney.

In spite of the heavy topic, the event will feature some fun activities for participants, including an awareness walk, children’s activities such as a train ride and rock-climbing wall, and food.

The event is free and open to the public. For more information about the Crisis Center of Magic Valley, additional resources and links or how to get involved, check out the website.

For the CCMV 24-hour help line, call 733-0100.