AWARD DISTRIBUTION AND DEMOGRAPHIC CHART
National Crime Victims Rights Week Awardees1993

Meg W. Bates
Division of Victim Services and Criminal Justice Programs
Office of the Attorney General
Tallahassee, Florida

James and Sarah Brady
Center to Prevent Handgun Violence
Handgun Control, Inc.
Washington, D.C. 20005

Patricia Ann Davenport
Greenville, Mississippi

Reverend David and Anne Delaplane
The Spiritual Dimension in Victim Services
Sacramento, California

Janice Harris Lord
Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) National Office
Irving, Texas

Joseph A. Myers
National Indian Justice Center
Petaluma, California

Nancy Ruhe-Munch
Parents of Murdered Childen (POMC)
Cincinnati, Ohio

Whether directly counseling crime victims or pushing for legislative reform, Meg Bates has achieved permanent and far- reaching advances in the State of Florida, and earning the heartfelt respect of both crime victims and her colleagues.

Ms. Bates' work in the crime victims field began in 1981, when she initiated and administered a prosecutor-based, victim-witness assistance program in Key West. The program's innovations included an on-call witness management system, efforts to educate the public about victims' rights, and effective linkages with legal and social services throughout the state.

In 1986 Ms. Bates assumed responsibility for Florida's Office of Victim Witness Services, where she managed a victim assistance grant program with a budget of nearly two million dollars. Ms. Bates also coordinated state training for victim professionals, developed a comprehensive directory of state victim services and introduced a state-wide public awareness campaign. Since then she has moved on to direct the Division of Victim Services and Criminal Justice Programs in Florida's Office of the Attorney General. In addition to overseeing the state victim compensation and assistance programs, she has also worked to effect policy changes on behalf of crime victims. She was instrumental in the passage of Florida's constitutional amendment securing victim rights, and the development of a statewide protocol for assisting victims of sexual assault.

A crime victim from Florida recently attended oral arguments on a victim-related case before the United States Supreme Court. Ms.. Bates directed a member of her staff to accompany the victim to the Court. This gesture of caring is indicative of the level of support Ms. Bates offers to crime victims in the State of Florida.

James and Sarah Brady
Center to Prevent Handgun Violence
Handgun Control, Inc.
Washington, D.C.

Since March 31, 1981, the fateful day when James Brady was struck by a bullet intended for President Reagan, the Bradys have been tireless advocates for legislation to prevent the senseless victimization of innocent Americans from gun-related violence. Sarah Brady has served as chair of Handgun Control, Inc., a national gun control advocacy organization, since 1985. She also chairs Handgun Control's educational and legal advocacy sister organization, the Center to Prevent Handgun Violence. Since leaving the White House, where he served as President Reagan's Press Secretary, Jim Brady has spent much of his time lobbying for stronger gun laws. He also serves as a member of the Board of Trustees for the Center to Prevent Handgun Violence. Together, the Bradys have criss-crossed the country soliciting support for handgun control, in particular the "Brady Bill"--Federal legislation named in Jim Brady's honor that would establish a seven-day waiting period to allow local law enforcement officials to conduct background checks of handgun purchasers.

The Bradys also have been instrumental in developing and fostering STAR--the nation's first comprehensive gun violence prevention program for school children, teenagers, and their families. Launched in Dade County, Florida, Public Schools in 1989, the program is now being used throughout New Jersey, as well as in New York City, Los Angeles, San Diego, and Oakland, California, schools. The Bradys have personally visited many schools throughout the country to promote the STAR program.

In addition, the Bradys have championed the rights of the disabled. Through his chairmanship of the National Organization on Disability and his own courageous example, Jim Brady has inspired other disabled Americans to triumph over adversity. Although partially paralyzed, with some lingering speech and memory problems, Jim Brady has persevered in his struggle to overcome obstacles posed by his disabilities.

The Bradys have become role models for all those who have been victims of violence and have used their experience to inspire change in society.

Patricia Ann Davenport
Greenville, Mississippi

Patricia Ann Davenport has been described by her colleagues as a dynamic leader and a dedicated friend to victims of crime. She has led state efforts to improve services for battered women, with an emphasis on services for underserved victims and victims of color.

Since 1986, Ms. Davenport has been the director of the Salvation Army Domestic Violence Program in Greenville, Mississippi, a facility that serves battered women from eight counties. Despite a small staff and limited funds, Ms. Davenport has shaped a model domestic violence shelter program. She has singlehandedly trained area law enforcement agencies on effective responses to domestic violence, and has engaged their participation in the coordinated handling of domestic violence cases with local victim service providers. For her efforts to educate criminal justice components about domestic abuse, and for her sensitivity to crime victims, Ms. Davenport has been honored by both the Greenville Police Department and the Washington County Bar Association.

In addition to her shelter work, Ms. Davenport recently served as the President of the Mississippi Coalition Against Domestic Violence. She has also served as the key organizer of a number of highly successful conferences which have brought together -- for the first time -- state professionals from victim assistance, criminal justice, and community services to address issues pertaining to family, youth, and crime.

At the national level, Ms. Davenport has served as a valued advisor to victim organizations on issues related to domestic violence. Her positive energy, leadership skills, and ardent commitment to victims have earned her the appreciation and respect of both her peers and her community.

Reverend David and Anne Delaplane
The Spiritual Dimension in Victim Services
Sacramento, California

Until Reverend David and Anne Delaplane began their pioneering work in 1984, the efforts of the ministry with regard to crime victimization had focused primarily on rehabilitating incarcerated offenders. In 1984, with the singular vision of enlightening the religious community about the unique needs of crime victims, the Delaplanes began The Spiritual Dimension in Victim Services, a grassroots organization that has come to feature prominently in educating clergy of many denominations about effectively ministering to the spiritual and emotional needs of crime victims.

Through national-scope conferences and seminars, The Spiritual Dimension in Victim Services offers training and education to members of the clergy, seminarians, lay people, and victim service providers. This training has generated frank and much-needed discussion among members of the religious community about child abuse, sexual abuse, and family violence. In response to popular demand, the Delaplanes are now developing guidelines for clergy confronting particularly complex issues, such as the confidentiality of victim counseling, mandatory reporting of child abuse, and other issues pertaining to child safety.

The Delaplanes' work has generated other positive activities in church communities. Their "Neighbors Who Care" Program brings church-based volunteers together with victims of crime to provide support and consolation. Their "Adopt A Child Abuse Caseworker Program," which is being replicated across the country, links abused children and their caseworkers with caring church communities, in order to provide child victims with certain basic necessities.

The Delaplanes have opened their church, their home, and their heart to crime victims. Their compassionate service, and the clergy education provided through The Spiritual Dimension in Victim Services, will multiply a thousand-fold in church communities through the country.

Janice Harris Lord
Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD)
Irving, Texas

Janice Harris Lord is one of the most widely recognized and respected leaders in the victim rights field. Herself a homicide survivor, Ms. Lord came to Mothers Against Drunk Driving in 1983 as the National Director of Victim Services -- but her commitment to crime victims extends well beyond the anti-drunk driving movement and the forty-hour work week.

A founding member of the Victims Constitutional Amendment Network, Ms. Lord has led important efforts to enact reforms in both state and Federal legislation. In 1988 she spearheaded efforts to amend the Federal Victims of Crime Act amendment in order to make compensation available for victims of drunk driving crashes. More recently, Ms. Harris worked to amend the Federal bankruptcy code to prevent drunk driving offenders from escaping financial responsibility to their victims by declaring bankruptcy.

Ms. Harris is the respected author of numerous publications, including No Time for Goodbyes, considered by many to be the preeminent guidebook for the suddenly bereaved. Her pamphlet, "Death At School," has received accolades nationwide and has been used by teachers and school counselors alike to provide appropriate assistance to grieving children following the death of a student or family member. A sought-after trainer, she has designed a highly successful death notification workshop that enables law enforcement agents, clergy and others to notify homicide survivors with dignity, compassion, and confidence.

Among her most far-reaching accomplishments has been moving the victim impact panel from a local to national concept. In five short years, hundreds of panels have been implemented, and thousands of "how-to" booklets and videos distributed. The MADD model of the victim impact panel is well on its way to changing the face of America's correctional system.

Joseph A. Myers
National Indian Justice Center
Petaluma, California

Over the past 18 years, Joseph Myers has emerged as an articulate and committed leader of the victim rights movement in Indian Country.

Mr. Myers began his service to Native Americans as a member of the staff of the American Indian Lawyer Training Program. In 1983, he helped to establish the National Indian Justice Training Center (NIJC), an Indian-owned and operated, non-profit organization dedicated to improving the administration of justice in Indian Country. As the organization's Executive Director, Mr. Myers has diligently worked with victim service providers, criminal justice professionals, and members of tribal court systems to ensure that Native American victims of crime are accorded just and sensitive treatment.

The effects of Mr. Myers' work have been felt from remote reservations to the halls of the United States Congress. Mr. Myers has initiated and delivered effective programs to train social workers and local tribal court personnel in issues of child abuse and neglect, as well as domestic violence. Many tribes have subsequently developed codes to protect children .and family members from domestic violence, as well as children's bills of rights. He has also earned the respect of Members of Congress, having testified before the U.S. Senate on policy changes to improve services to all victims of Federal crimes.

Perhaps Mr. Myers' most lasting contribution will be the legacy he leaves on reservations throughout the country. As a result of his efforts, there will be a lasting pool of trained talent in each Indian community to carry on the work that he began.

Nancy Ruhe-Munch
Parents of Murdered Children
Cincinnati, Ohio

Parents of Murdered Children (POMC) is a national, volunteer-run organization that serves families of homicide victims. The widespread success of the organization's many local chapters in bringing solace and support to thousands of grief-stricken survivors is in large part attributable to the persistent efforts of POMC's Executive Director, Nancy Ruhe-Munch.

Since 1985, Ms. Ruhe-Munch has devoted countless volunteer hours to maintain POMC's provision of support services. For two years, she ran the organization without pay while holding down a full time paying job. It was during this time that Ms. Ruhe-Munch began editing and publishing the "Survivors" newsletter, and that she also conceived the idea for POMC's memorial wall, a traveling set of panels inscribed with the names of homicide survivors. At the same time, Ms. Ruhe-Munch raised all the funds necessary to ensure POMC's financial survival.

In 1988 POMC attained funds to hire Ms. Ruhe-Munch as the full-time Executive Director. She immediately initiated a training program for support group leaders and went on to publish POMC's first book, Thanks for Asking, a compilation of survivors' poems, writings, and letters, as well as the widely disseminated booklet, "Path Through the Criminal Justice System." Ms. Ruhe-Munch also designed and implemented the innovative Truth in Sentencing Program, a national program that enables survivors to express their opposition to the early release of convicted perpetrators of homicide.

Despite her full schedule, Ms. Ruhe-Munch remains on-call 24-hours a day, seven days a week, for survivors who need support. She has extended the caring arms of POMC to countless individuals and helped them find the courage to go on.