VICTIM EDUCATION

Victim Impact Panels

MVA members participate regularly in Victim Awareness Panels. The purpose of these panels is to educate the public and professionals groups on victim issues and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Past panels have presented to journalists, medical and criminal justice students, prosecuting attorneys, and delinquent youth offenders.

The ongoing efforts include alliances with Michigan State University Medical School, Pine Lodge Community Justice Center, Michigan Balanced and Restorative Justice Network, and the Michigan State University Criminal Justice Department.

MSU College of Human Medicine Partnership

In partnership with the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, the MVA has initiated a project involving students taking the Major Mental Disorders Class. In this undertaking, MVA members volunteer to be interviewed by medical students to help them understand how Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can affect their future patients.

FREDDIE AWARD WINNER (Gold)

DVD: "Surviving Trauma & Tragedy: Lessons For Future Physicians & Health Professionals was produced by The Michigan Victim Alliance with the cooperation of the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. The purpose of this program is to provide insight about the profound effects of PTSD. This is a unique teaching tool for educators in the health field. While it's aimed at medical students it is also equally suited for nurses and allied health professionals. Extraordinary survivors (members of the Michigan Victim Alliance) tell their stories with candor and courage and demonstrate a deep commitment to helping other survivors. Their stories will help future health professionals realize how important doctors, nurses and members of the medical team can be in the diagnostic and recovery process for survivors of extreme trauma. The program is also suitable and excellent for a general audience, survivors, victim advocates and clergy. Click: http://www.giftfromwithin.org/html/video10.html#10

YOUTH OUTREACH

Teen Summits

Teen Summit is an innovative high school program that offers a unique approach to educating youth about relationships, victimization and tolerance. The program was designed by Dr. Betty Kirby, MVA Education Program Director to help reduce teen victimization, build supportive relationships and enhance the school climate. Student and adult partnerships are developed to assist youth in designing and implementing an all day conference tailored to meet the unique culture and needs of each school. It is a day designed by teens, for teens. Conference sessions are designed to raise awareness about the incidence and impact of crimes against teenagers. National, state, and local presenters speak on topics such as dating violence, teen depression, sexual assault, stress, body image, legal rights and harassment. Community agencies are also involved and set up information booths for students to access resources and ask questions. What is unique about this program is that all students and staff participate in the conference. Teens are given the opportunity to talk openly about these issues within the school environment and the school community is listening. Everyone becomes involved in helping teens acquire the tools and resources they need in becoming socially and emotionally confident, to persevere in the face of challenges, to handle peer pressure, and to treat others with respect. The program has gained national and statewide attention and has been successfully replicated in for Michigan High Schools: Mt. Pleasant High School (2004, 2007), Haslett High School (2005), Farwell High School, (2006) and Lakeview High School (2006).

The NEST Program

For many, school is the first place where people experience victimization. Verbal peer abuse - what is so benignly called teasing - is so common in schools that even many adults consider it to be a natural part of growing up. Yet this form of emotional abuse is a major contributor of school violence. In addition, for the targets and children who bully alike, teasing and other forms of bullying can lead to lifelong problems including depression, substance abuse, and relationship problems.

To help schools address this problem, MVA has established the NEST (No Elementary School Teasing) Program. NEST is a parent/child communication program designed to create a safer school environment.

Please visit our How To Join section for information on how you can become a member, make a donation of time or money, or both.