Victims of domestic crimes will be honored as part of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week in Centre County.
Centre County District Attorney Stacy Parks Miller and Faith Schindler and Lauren Miller, victim advocates, announced their office will hold a black light vigil and march Thursday, April 6, beginning at 6 p.m. The event is being produced through a grant awarded to Centre County.
“The black light vigil is something truly unique, especially here in Centre County,” said Parks Miller. “Faith (Schindler) and Lauren (Miller), of the Victim Advocate Department, presented this unique idea to hold a black light vigil and march, and it was chosen over many other ideas for funding.”
The vigil and march will begin at the steps of Old Main on Penn State University’s campus and will end at the Flex Theatre in the HUB-Robeson Center, where the black light vigil will be held.
According to Parks Miller, participants will be given silhouettes to individually honor those that have been victimized by crimes.
“The event is being held to raise awareness, bring support, promote victim’s rights and honor all those in our community and across the nation who have been a victim of crime,” said Parks Miller.
Speakers for the event include Kristina Taylor-Porter, director of the Children’s Advocacy Center; Anne Ard, of the Centre County Women’s Resource Center; and Parks Miller. McGruff the Crime Dog will be present and children can have their pictures taken with him. A balloon launch will also occur during the vigil.
National Crime Victims’ Rights Week is Sunday, April 2, through Saturday, April 8. Each year, millions of Americans are affected by crime. In 2016, the Centre County District Attorney’s Office serviced more than 1,200 individuals who were victims of various types of crimes, including sexual offenses, domestic violence, assaults, drug and alcohol-related crimes and overdoses, child abuse, thefts and homicide.
