Members of the Victim Services Branch also facilitate outreach, trainings, and events, for the purpose of educating and empowering the community on Victim’s Rights, supportive services and tools for healing. These events include:
- Human Trafficking Prevention Month
January is recognized as National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, with the color blue serving as an international symbol of awareness regarding this critical issue. Human trafficking, which encompasses both forced labor and sex trafficking, poses a significant threat to international peace and security. It undermines the rule of law, deprives millions of their dignity and freedom, enriches transnational criminals and terrorists, and jeopardizes public safety and national security worldwide. - Stalking Awareness Month
January marks National Stalking Awareness Month, an annual initiative aimed at recognizing and addressing the serious crime of stalking. It is imperative to acknowledge stalking not only as a distinct form of gender-based violence but also as a crime that often precedes and coincides with physical and sexual violence. The official color for Stalking Awareness is yellow, symbolizing visibility, caution, and the necessity to "shine a light" on this frequently concealed crime. - Teen Dating Violence Awareness
Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month is recognized in February and is symbolized by an orange awareness ribbon. This month aims to raise awareness about Teen Dating Violence, which encompasses a pattern of harmful or abusive behaviors within romantic or intimate relationships among adolescents aged 12 to 18. Such violence can manifest in various forms, including physical, sexual, emotional, verbal, or digital abuse, all of which are employed to exert power and control over a partner. - Sexual Assault Awareness Month
Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) is observed nationally every April to promote awareness regarding sexual and gender-based violence through education, prevention efforts, and support for survivors. This month is symbolized by the color teal, which serves as a visual representation of solidarity with survivors. - Denim Day
Denim Day is an annual Global Day of Action observed on the last Wednesday of April, coinciding with Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Participants don jeans as a form of protest against the victim-blaming myths surrounding sexual violence. The initiative originated from a 1999 Italian Supreme Court ruling that overturned a rape conviction, with justices erroneously asserting that the victim's tight jeans implied consent. Today, communities around the world wear denim on this day to express solidarity with survivors and to challenge these harmful narratives. - National Crime Victims’ Rights Week
Since 1981, National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW) has urged the nation to confront and dismantle barriers to justice for all crime victims. This week serves as an opportunity to acknowledge the achievements of the victims’ rights movement and to reflect on our progress. Every April, the Office for Victims of Crime within the Office of Justice Programs coordinates annual observances of NCVRW across communities nationwide. - National Crime Victims’ Rights Week,
This year, National Crime Victim's Rights Week will run from April 19–25, 2026. - Gun Violence Awareness Month
June is Gun Violence Awareness Month. Gun Violence Awareness Month provides an opportunity for individuals and organizations to raise public awareness about gun violence and is a call to action on educating communities on how to prevent it. This month is symbolized by the color orange. - Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) was established in 1987, with Congress officially recognizing October as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month in 1989. This initiative provides an opportunity for individuals to educate themselves about the prevalence and impact of domestic violence, while collectively demonstrating support for victims and survivors, affirming that they are not alone in their experiences. The color purple represents this awareness campaign, symbolizing survival, courage, and peace. - Next-of-Kin (NOK) Meetings
The Family Liaison Specialists Unit (FLSU) coordinates three annual meetings for the next of kin (NOK) of ongoing homicide cases. These gatherings provide an opportunity for immediate family members to engage in a personal dialogue with a homicide investigator concerning the details of their loved one's case. - Tree of Remembrance
The Metropolitan Police Department’s Victim Services Branch hosts an annual holiday event dedicated to commemorating the lives of homicide victims in the District. During this special event, families receive a personalized ornament in memory of their loved ones, serving as a heartfelt reminder that the Metropolitan Police Department has not forgotten them and remains committed to resolving their cases.