Victims Assistance Center of Jefferson County, Inc.
Serving the community since 1979 as a comprehensive victims services agency, our mission is to assist and provide direct services to victims/survivors of violence and crime in Jefferson County, NY.
January is National Stalking Awareness Month, a time to mobilize against a dangerous crime. This year’s theme, “Stalking: Know It. Name It. Stop It.,” calls our nation to stop this crime by learning more about it. Stalking can happen to anyone, and it affects 3.4 million victims a year. It’s a crime in all 50 states. Stalkers may assault or murder their victims, and they are hard to stop. The more you know about stalking, the more you can do to fight it.
February
National Teen Dating Violence Prevention and Awareness Month
February is National Teen Dating Violence Prevention and Awareness Month and it is critical that we take this time to remember that domestic violence is not just a problem for adults. One in three adolescents in the US will be a victim of physical, emotional or sexual abuse from a dating partner. Nearly 80% of girls who have been physically abused in their intimate relationships continue to date their abuser. And two-thirds of teens who are in an abusive relationship never tell anyone about the abuse. It’s time to shine a light on this issue.
Take time to educate yourself and others about teen dating violence. The following websites offer information about teen dating violence and what you can do to help:
For additional information you may contact: The Victims Assistance Center of Jefferson County
March
Youth Violence Prevention Week
April
Taste of the Town Fundraising Event
Crime Victims Rights Week
Sexual Assault Awareness Month
National Child Abuse Prevention Month
September
40-hour Department of Health approved Rape Crisis Training
National Suicide Prevention Week
National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims
October
Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Annual Victims Assistance Center Luncheon
National Crime Prevention Month
2011 Annual Appreciation Luncheon - Thank you to all who were able to attend -
Award Honorees Community Appreciation: Honorable James C. Harberson Community Spirit: Rose & Kiernan Insurance Company Volunteer of the Year: Kiandra McCain
From Left to Right: Tom Bowie (Board President) Kiandra McCain, Jeany Danielson (Rose & Kiernan Insurance), James Harberson, Elaina Marra (Executive Director)
Five years of service: Amy-Child Advocacy Program Coordinator (left) and Andrea-Community Education Prevention Specialist (right)
This year at our Annual Appreciation Luncheon we were honored to have a local community survivor of domestic violence providing the keynote address.Her story of endurance and survival was both riveting and moving.Being a resident of northern Jefferson County, this incident reminds us that domestic violence is a crime that so frequently occurs in our own community.
Our speaker demonstrated courage and resilience as she survived being shot four times—once in the arm and three times in the back—with a rifle by her husband of more than ten years.The perpetrator was subsequently charged with attempted murder and is currently serving a sentence of twelve years in State prison.
Every 52 seconds one woman is victimized by a significant other, and one child is reported abused or neglected every 34.9 seconds.
In 2010, The Victims Assistance Center of Jefferson County, Inc. provided direct services to 2,660 unduplicated victims of various violent crimes.
November
National Runaway Prevention Month
December
Identity Theft Protection and Awareness Month
National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month
Universal Human Rights Month
Human Rights Day
120 Arcade Street * Watertown, NY * 13601 Office: (315) 782-1823 * Hotline: (315) 782-1855 * Fax: (315) 782-3760 victimsassistancecenter@vacjc.com
