Hi Survivor,

Welcome to October! This month is a powerful reminder of the strength, resilience, and courage of survivors as we observe Domestic Violence Awareness Month. At Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice, we are committed to raising awareness, advocating for change, and supporting survivors in their healing journeys.

At Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice, we understand that the path to healing for survivors is long and complex and that domestic violence affects individuals, families, and entire communities. This month provides us with the opportunity to not only educate and advocate for those impacted by domestic violence but also to strengthen our commitment to creating safer, more supportive environments for survivors.

Domestic violence continues to impact countless lives, and this month provides an opportunity for all of us to reflect, educate, and take action. Throughout October, we will amplify survivor stories and advocate for policies that protect and uplift those affected by violence.

In this newsletter, you'll find updates on our latest work, resources for survivors, and information on how you can get involved. Whether through attending events or simply sharing information with your community! 

Thank you for supporting our efforts to promote safety, justice, and healing for all.

Jonathon Lewis 

Managing Director 

Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice

To our members, allies, supporters, and advocates, the Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice team wants to extend our deepest gratitude to each of you who joined us for the Crime Survivors Speak March on Washington on September 23-24. Your presence and support made this event truly powerful and unforgettable.

One of the most impactful moments of the event was when hundreds of survivors marched in unity, holding signs that conveyed their pain, hopes, and demands for change. It was a moving display of solidarity—survivors standing together, sending a clear message to lawmakers that the time for change is now.

This event was more than a march—it was a reflection of our shared commitment to creating a future where safety and justice are accessible to everyone. The energy, passion, and unity we witnessed in Washington was a powerful reminder that survivors are not just victims—they are leaders driving the movement for change.

Sincerely, CSSJ Staff

Aswad Thomas  

Celina Meadows 

Danny Montes 

David Guizar  

Jonathon Lewis

Juan Pablo Chavez 

Kimberly YoungBlood 

Kristina Plummer  

Lanaisa Edwards  

Mary Dunne  

Priscilla Bordayo 

Tanya Wiliams 

Tashante McCoy 

Tricia Forbes 

Crime Survivors Speak March on Washington Highlights: 

• Galvanized over 3,000 crime survivors, allies, and supports across 30 states
• Developed partnerships with over 200 local, state, and national organizations
• Members participated in Congressional Visits and a special meeting with the White House Gun Office of Gun Violence Prevention
• Crime Survivors Speak March on Washington featured powerful guest speakers and performers: 
  • Congresswoman Debbie Dingell, MI 
  • Greg Jackson, Deputy Director of the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention
  • Dougie Fresh, Rapper, record producer, and beatboxer
  • EU Band, D.C. based go-go/funk band
  • Ledisi, Singer-songwriter, music producer, author, and actress
  • Lloyd, Singer, and Songwriter  
  • Monica, Singer, Song Writer, and Actress 
  • Omari Harwick, Actor 
• The Crime Survivors Speak March on Washington gathered a total of 56 online media mentions between April - October and reached an audience of more than 313 million. The march also received over 300 television media mentions from markets across the country. Highlights include:
  
  • Being mentioned in a crime victim, pre-event story from In Da House Media. Link Here
  • A powerful, post-event feature story from Inside Philanthropy. The piece reached an audience of more than 80 thousand. The story also received 38 social shares. Link Here 
  • How Survivors Are Working to Stop the Cycle of Violence - Non-Profit News. Link Here 
• This coverage was a result of months of consistent media outreach that began at the beginning of the year. Leveraging trending news and events as hooks, multiple story angles were pitched to secure coverage and or mentions of the historic event. In an effort to maximize exposure leading up to the march, we developed and distributed several send-off media advisories and secured 14 online news stories and hundreds of tv clips.

In September, Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice (CSSJ) successfully hosted a series of impactful trainings aimed at equipping our members with the tools and knowledge to advocate for change and amplify their voices. We trained over 300 crime survivors in preparation for the Crime Survivors Speak March on Washington in the following areas: 

• Survivors Speak DC Advocacy Training: Members who participated in this training learned critical skills for engaging in effective advocacy and promoting policies that support survivors.
• Who We Are Training(CSSJ): Members took part in this session to gain a deeper understanding of CSSJ’s organization’s mission and how to lead with our core values.
• Communication and Media Training: Members were trained in media engagement, empowering them to share their stories and advocate for survivors in a safe way. 

These trainings reflect our ongoing commitment to building a strong, trauma-informed, and unified community of advocates for safety and justice. We are proud of the progress and dedication of all who participated!

Wednesday, October 16, 2024 - Who We Are 

Who We Are: A Virtual Orientation for New Members is an engaging introduction to Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice, designed to welcome and empower new members. This session provides an overview of our mission, values, and the impact we strive to create. Participants learn about the importance of survivor-led advocacy, how to get involved in our campaigns, and ways to connect with our growing community of survivors. Register Here: https://mobilize.us/s/mvkcX1 

Thursday, October 30, 2024 - A Right to Heal: Empowering Survivors for National Domestic Violence Awareness Month 

CSSJ will host their annual virtual Domestic Violence Awareness event. This event will feature a panel of survivors of domestic violence who will share their stories; we will also discuss preventative measures and share resources. Register Here: https://mobilize.us/s/NhzPVL 

Saturday, December 14, 2024 - National Member Appreciation Celebration 

Join us for our annual National Member Appreciation event to celebrate the amazing work of our chapter coordinates and members nationwide. Register Here: https://mobilize.us/s/911r6J 

Celebration Award Nominations Submission: Link Here 

Did you know there are free national hotlines and text lines for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, suicide, disasters, and other kinds of crises? Check out these and our other CSSJ member resources, including free counseling through our partner BetterHelp, here. 

The Crime Survivors Speak Podcast shares the stories of survivor leaders transforming our nation’s safety and justice systems. Join visionary survivor leader Aswad Thomas as he shares the mic with everyday people impacted by crime that are moving from healing to action and winning real change for communities across the country. Listen to this month’s episode featuring Ingrid Archie at https://cssj.org/podcast.