Maryland Crime Victims’ Resource Center Inc. Page 1 Comprehensive Services to Victims of Crime Newsletter Highlights Continuing the Mission of the Stephanie Roper Committee and Foundation 2017-A Year of Success MCVRC Newsletter for MCVRC pg. 4 January 2018 Prince George’s Police The Chairwoman’s Corner Chief meets with MCVRC The last three months of 2017 were very busy for the serving the crime victim Maryland Crime Victims’ community. Some of the Inside this issue: Resource Center’s staff, board social media was recently members, support group and used for a fundraiser. Chairwoman’s Corner and 1-2 anyone connected with it. Words of Encouragement Fundraising was very big One of the latest ventures during these three months by involves teaming up with participating in Giving Tuesday an organization by giving Founder’s Message 3 and appealing to all for end of donations of clothing and year donations. The household items so that MCVRC can receive a per- 2017-A Year of Success 4 fundraisers and donations are for MCVRC extremely important because centage from the donations MCVRC is one of very few, if collected. MCVRC Legislative 5-8 not the last nonprofit, that Prince George’s Coun- provides totally free services to ty’s Police Chief, Henry P. Stawinski III, met with MCVRC Assists in 9 victims of crime. Development of Domestic Both legal services and victim MCVRC to discuss crime prevention and interaction Violence Prevention advocates are available to Program provide assistance and with communities as well services to crime victims. A as new technology his de- list of all services rendered partment was utilizing to Prince George’s County 10 was nicely written in the assist with forensic investi- Police Chief meets with December 2017 Highlights gations that result in clos- MCVRC newsletter. ing old cold cases in order to bring justice to crime Become a Member/ 11 The Maryland Crime Volunteer Victims’ Resource Center victims. appreciates assistance with It was great that the Police 2017 Contributors 12-13 fundraising. The Chesapeake Chief took time to meet Grille and Deli periodically with MCVRC personnel, Schedule of Events & 14 holds events to benefit our friends, and affiliates to Fundraising and Support center. Cookbooks and note share his concern and in- cards continue to be sold to formation pertaining to Staff Developments 15 cover costs incurred while crime and the community. Cont. on 2 How You Can Help? See Page 5 to contact your Legislators. MCVRC Newsletter Page 2 Words of Support and Encouragement “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness That most frightens us.” -Marianne Williamson The Chairwoman’s Corner (cont.) The Homicide Support Group It was very important to her that held its December meeting at the of- people keep plugging away and never fice and provided very helpful and give up. I can honestly say that is one comforting information to all who at- of the BIG qualities that I see in crime tended about suggestions for han- victims and those that work with them. dling the loss of loved ones and the The determination and perseverance holidays. It was a beautiful gather- that is demonstrated is very strong. ing where candles were lit and loved Betty White also commented that ones were remembered. she tries to see the funny side and the January promises to be a very upside, not the downside of things. busy month with the donation drive She doesn’t believe in spending time where anyone can bring items to the complaining about something and in- MCVRC office for fundraising. Also, stead concentrates on being active in the next legislative session begins th achieving goals. January 10 in Annapolis and that involves a lot of time and work to May all of us keep persevering and try take part in hearings and push for to find optimism in what life brings us. more beneficial legislation for crime victims. Respectfully, I want to wish everyone a very Debra Tall Happy New Year and offer feelings of MCVRC Board Chair hope and happiness to you. I re- cently read about the actress, Betty White, turning age 96 very soon. She talked about what has contribut- ed to her longevity and a big thing to her was perseverance. MCVRC Newsletter Page 3 A Message from the Founder As we begin a new year, we take MCVRC is once again engaged stock of our past and reflect upon our in the 2018 legislative process to achievements and all the individuals advance the interests in justice for who have helped to make this possible. crime victims. Today, the legisla- The organization that was originally tive efforts are more focused on founded as the Stephanie Roper Com- fine tuning existing rights and mittee and Foundation, Inc. continues working toward their full imple- that strong legacy today as the Mary- mentation. This is why having land Crime Victims’ Resource Center, staff attorneys is so necessary for Inc. I believe that three characteristics the enforcement of victims’ rights. are found in the individual staff mem- Together, with support and coun- bers, from our Executive Director to our seling services, MCVRC’s compre- advocates and attorneys, to our Board hensive, free services make life- of Directors, to volunteers … patience, changing differences in people’s passion and perseverance. The MCVRC lives. While there remain those team never forgets why we are here who would challenge the validity and the difference they have made in of crime victims’ rights, it is clear the lives of countless crime victims and there has been a cultural transfor- survivors we are privileged to serve. mation in the American criminal justice system’s treatment of When we began more than thirty- crime victims. Many have come to five years ago, my husband, Vince and recognize that justice is better I naively believed that if certain policy served when crime victims and changes were made, our work would be survivors are treated with dignity done. We could never have envisioned and respect. the challenges we would face, the vic- tories that would be achieved and the On behalf of the MCVRC team, wonderful people who would be a part we thank you for your past and of that process and a part of our lives. continuing support, and wish each Despite the tragedy that brought peo- of you a happy new year. ple together, it offered the opportunity to know and work with the finest peo- Respectfully, ple we would never have met, except Roberta Roper for our daughter’s brutal murder. Founder To Make a Donation: https://www.mdcrimevictims.org/how-you-can-help/donations/ Page 4 2017—A Year of Success for MCRVC! This year, Maryland Crime Victims’ Resource Center, Inc. (MCVRC) staff worked tirelessly to advocate on behalf of victims of crime, including in the areas of assaults, domestic violence, homicides, identity theft and robberies. MCVRC, is one of Maryland’s non-profit leaders in the training of victims’ laws and rights to services providers, States’ Attorneys, state victim-witness coordinators and other non-profit support service organizations. 2017 was marked by many successes, including the following highlights: • Four attorneys were employed and offices were opened in Western, Eastern Shore, North Central, and North Western Maryland to provide pro bono legal services to victims of crime. • Through our training efforts, more than 271 participants received training in victims’ laws, rights, and services. • Representatives from 86 different organizations received training in victims’ laws, rights, and services. • A Montgomery County Circuit Judge used our argument in part to justify the denial of Lee Boyd Malvo’s challenges to his 2006 six consecutive life without parole sentences for first degree murder. • Advocates provided court accompaniment and language interpretation services to a victim of MS13 gang violence. This case started in Prince George’s County and was transferred to federal court. As a non-profit organization, we do not charge clients for services rendered. MCVRC rely totally on individual and corporate donations as well as federal and state funding to accomplish the goals of our mission. Please note that your donations are tax-deductible Fed Tax ID #52-1376744. We, Thank you in advance, for your generous contribution. PayPal: http://www.mdcrimevictims.org/paypal Razoo: http://www.mdcrimevictims.org/razoo By Mail: 1001 Prince George’s Blvd, Suite 750, Upper Marlboro, MD 20774 Visit us at: https://www.mdcrimevictims.org/ Page 5 Legislative Priorities: Please support MCVRC legislative priorities that passed in 2018 by contacting your local legislators by phone and/or email Senate Bill 0180 House Bill 0269 Criminal Procedure - Victim Notification - Dissemination and National Standards Senate Hearing before the Judicial Proceedings Committee 1/30 at 1:00 p.m. House Hearing before the Judiciary Committee 1/30 at 1:00 p.m. Synopsis: Altering a definition of "disseminate" to exclude providing information to victims of crime or their representatives; altering the purposes of certain provisions of law relating to the Criminal Justice Information System; and requiring the Department of Information Technology to conduct a certain study relating to interfaces used for automated victim notification and to report its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly on or before December 31, 2018. Contact Legislators Who Can Help: Members of Judicial Proceedings Chair: Senator Bobby A. Zirkin 2 East Miller Senate Office Building Annapolis, MD 21401 410-841-3623 301-858-3623 Toll-free in MD: 1-800-492-7122 [email protected] Telephone# Email Kelley, Delores G. (Vice Chair) 410-841-3606 [email protected] 301-858-3606 1-800-492-7122 ext.