VICTIM SERVICES
Victims Served In 2015, MADD Victim Services compassionately provided service to victims or survivors every 3 minutes. We also released two new brochures, available in English and Spanish. The “Understanding the Criminal and Civil Justice Systems” brochure highlights victims’ rights and court procedures and how to select a civil attorney. “Resources and Referrals,” provides victims and survivors with information and resources to help them cope with the emotional, physical, financial, and
NEW SERVICES FOR VICTIMS
Private Facebook Group The MADD Victim Services’ private Facebook Group launched in April 2015 during Crime Victims’ Rights Week. The purpose of this group is to provide an online forum for victims and survivors to connect, share, and seek support, as well as provide peer support. Members often introduce themselves, share a photo of a loved one or of themselves and post about how a crash has impacted their lives. The participation among members has exceeded all expectations, and we are excited to see the group continue to grow. Live Chat on madd.org MADD Victim Services launched a new platform for victims to chat live with a member of the Victim Services department to receive services. The live chat pop-up is on the lower right-hand corner of the MADD.org homepage and Victim Services page. We provided service to 548 people last year through this option. Portraits for Healing MADD joined in partnership with Bill Small, an artist from California, for the Victim Services Portraits for Healing Program. Bill has generously agreed to donate 200 victim portraits a year for those who have been impacted by drunk or drugged driving. He said that being able to provide this thoughtful service to the families of loved ones killed or injured inspires him. National Day of Remembrance MADD hosted its first ever National Day of Remembrance to honor and remember victims and survivors of drunk driving, drugged driving and underage drinking consequences on December 3, 2015. Over 50 MADD locations across the country participated and hosted meaningful events, including candlelight vigils, painting classes and press conferences. More than 75 percent of those locations held their annual candlelight vigil on that day to honor and celebrate victims. Victims, survivors, community partners and first responders were present at their events. MADD also invited victims to create a tribute on a virtual plate online. Three hundred and sixty six victims gave a customized online tribute for their loved ones impacted by drunk and drugged driving.
the Criminal and Civil JusticeSystems UNDERSTANDING
RESOURCES forVictimsof Substance Impaired Driving
Victims and survivors of drunk and drugged driving crashes, as well as their loved ones, often feel lost and hopeless after a crash. While friends and family members are often available in the days immediately surrounding the tragedy, finding a support system that lasts a lifetime can be difficult. That is why MADD Victim Services are so vital to those who have been impacted by this violent crime. At MADD, victims always have a place. And always will. We provide supportive services at no charge to the victim and their loved ones, 24-hours a day, 365-days a year, as long as they need us.
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mental impacts of a crash. Both are available in English and Spanish. MADD provides all services free of charge and in a variety of ways. Our services include providing victims with emotional support, criminal and civil justice advocacy, information regarding the criminal justice system and education related to their grief. We also provide materials addressing the after effects of drunk and drugged driving, as well as underage drinking consequences and referrals to community resources MADD Help Line The 24-hour Victim Help Line, 1-877-MADD-HELP marked its 10th anniversary in 2015. When the Help Line first started, seven part-time MADD employees manned the phones. Today, 20 incredible volunteers donate their time to answer calls on nights and weekends, even on holidays, so the Help Line is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year – whenever victims and survivors of drunk and drugged driving need it most. Volunteers listen to their stories, offer a shoulder to lean on, and provide information about the criminal justice process. We are so grateful for these generous and compassionate volunteers who provide support to victims and survivors in their darkest hour. victim to volunteer Jade Gabrielle Stephens was a bubbly, outgoing, cheerful little girl with an infectious laugh, and a way of making everyone feel loved. On July 19, 2014 – four days before her tenth birthday– we celebrated with friends and family. On our way home, a drunk driver ran a stop sign and t-boned our car where Jade was sitting. Her father, brother and I watched in disbelief as Jade took her last breaths. We had just sung happy birthday to her. After Jade passed, MADD was there for us. We participated and raised significant donations in our first Walk Like MADD event in October, a few months after Jade’s death. Our goal is to Walk Like MADD, raise more money, and have a bigger team each year. Though taken too soon, Jade touched many people‘s lives, and we want to continue her legacy through MADD. by LaKeitha Stephens
victim services psa At MADD’s 35th anniversary, as a tribute to victims, the “You Always Have a Place” PSA was unveiled. The PSA featured victims who lost their loved ones to someone’s choice of committing the violent and 100 percent preventable crime of drunk driving. It was the first MADD Victim Services PSA released in 10 years.
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