City to Host Kick-Off of Victims' Rights Week Campaign

WHO:      Mayor Dwight C. Jones
                Michael Herring, City of Richmond Commonwealth’s Attorney
                       
WHAT:     Kick-Off of Victims’ Rights Week Campaign

WHEN:    Tuesday, April 21, 2015, at 10 a.m.

WHERE:  City Hall Lobby (Marshall Street side)
                900 East Broad Street
                Richmond, VA

BACKGROUND:
On Tuesday, April 21 at 10 a.m., Mayor Jones will host public officials in the lobby of City Hall to kick-off "Start by Believing," a city-wide sexual assault awareness campaign. The City is partnering with the Office of the Commonwealth's Attorney, State officials, colleges & universities, corporations, and non-profit organizations for National Crime Victims' Rights Week, April 19 through 25, to engage communities and empower victims.

The “Start by Believing” campaign focuses on the public’s response to sexual assault. Victims typically tell a friend or family member first and the goal of the campaign is to reduce responses of doubt, shame or blame. There will be 35 campaign locations throughout the City of Richmond to provide information and resources.

The campaign also includes a Victims' Rights Forum at the Richmond Police Training Academy, 1202 West Graham Road, on April 21 from 6 to 8 p.m.