News & Updates

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. UNM-Hospital’s Southwest Mesa Clinic observed the awareness month by allowing service providers to hold informational tables at their clinic throughout April. On April 15, Katie Langston and Julie Rivera, victim advocates at CVRC, were invited to facilitate an informational table. Clients at the clinic were able to learn about CVRC’s services and NM VINE (Victim Information and Notification Everyday).  

On March 20-21, 2019, Katie Langston and Julie Rivera, victim advocates at CVRC, attended the 6th Annual Tribal Leader Summit facilitated by the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women (CSVANW) at the Santa Ana Star Casino. It was a two day summit in which various presentations were held to increase conversations around public safety within the tribal communities. The presentations explored the impact of sexual violence, intimate partner violence, and sex trafficking in tribal communities. Some of the topics ranged from Sexual Violence in NM Tribal Communities presented by Alegra Roybal to KhapoKidz – Graffiti to a Household Name presented by Jeremy Oyenque. 

On January 10, 2019, the New Mexico Office of the Attorney General and The Life Link hosted their annual human trafficking conference. CVRC held an informational table along with several other service providers, such as New Day, Spoken For, Rape Crisis Center, and ABQ SANE Collaborative. Presentations at the conference focused on how the collaboration between law enforcement and victim services is integral to the success of victims affected by human trafficking.

On December 13, 2018, the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women hosted a community event in collaboration with Warehouse 508. Both Katie Langston and JulieAnna Rivera, victim advocates at CVRC, attended the event and held an informational table regarding our services. The event included free food, an open mic night where participants showcased their talents, and a mural and screen-printing workshop. The event’s objective was to facilitate conversation on how to eliminate violence against Native women and children.

On December 11, 2018, staff at CVRC provided holiday gifts to 22 children from PB&J Family Services. The children received gifts such as books, stuffed animals, toy trucks, dolls, and so much more. Remember to donate toys to your local non-profit organization during this time of festivities. Happy Holidays!

On December 4, 2018, the New Mexico Attorney General’s Office, New Mexico Trucking Association, and Truckers Against Trafficking held a conference that promoted awareness regarding human trafficking in the trucking, busing, oil and gas industry. Panels included law enforcement, prosecutors, industry stakeholders, and survivors. Presentations during the conference provided examples of how truck drivers can recognize the signs of human trafficking and help victims. Brave survivors spoke of their experience and inspired conversation on how law enforcement can better assist victims of human trafficking. The Freedom Drivers Project was also present at the conference, which is a mobile exhibit established to educate members of the trucking industry and general public about human trafficking.

On October 31, 2018, Pueblo of Acoma Social Services held their Domestic Violence Awareness Halloween Event. Katie Langston and Julie Rivera, victim advocates at CVRC, attended the event and educated attendees about NM CVRC services and VINE (Victim Information Notification Everyday). Other agencies participated such as Roberta’s Place, domestic violence shelter in Grants, NM. The local daycare also allowed the children to walk through the gymnasium and parade their frightening costumes. Julie Rivera was also selected to be a costume judge. During the event, Pueblo of Acoma Social Services provided free root-beer floats and candy to the children.

Isleta Pueblo Social Services held To Live in Peace & Dignity Resource Fair and Fun/Run on October 13, 2018.  Both Katie Langston and JulieAnna Rivera from CVRC held an informational table at this event. The event began with a blessing and individuals participated in a marathon by either running or walking. Afterwards, Isleta Pueblo Social Services provided food such as hamburgers and hot dogs. Participants were able to visit the variety of other service provider tables present, including the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women, Joy Junction, NM Department of Public Safety, and Albuquerque SANE Collaborative.

On October 12, 2018, Sergeant Ric Ingram from APD’s Family Abuse and Stalking Training Team (FASTT) coordinated the Walking Beat Campaign at the Grisham Park. The purpose of this campaign is to educate the community regarding resources for domestic violence. JulieAnna Rivera and Katie Langston, victim advocates at CVRC, participated in the event. Other community partners including Enlace Comunitario, Domestic Violence Resource Center, and NM Legal Aid also participated. Groups walked throughout the adjacent neighborhood and provided homeowners informational pamphlets on the Family Advocacy Center, NM Crime Victims Reparation Commission, and VINE (Victim Information Notification Everyday).

On October 06, 2018, Coalition to Stop Violence against Native Women (CSVANW) held their annual #IWillRunForHer 5k at the Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute. JulieAnna Rivera, victim advocate at CVRC, participated in the event. The 5k participants varied from children who ran the Little One Run and elderly who chose to walk. The trails pertained signs reminding the participants of the purpose of the race, which is to bring awareness of domestic violence that is present in Native American communities. After the race, participants were able to obtain information from vendors including SAFE House and National Indian Youth Council, Inc.

Please visit The New Mexico Coalition Against Domestic Violence website. There are several events planned to commemorate Domestic Violence Awareness Month!

Both Katie Langston and JulieAnna Rivera, Victim Advocates at NMCVRC, participated in the 10^th Annual Walk Like MADD event on September 29, 2018. They facilitated an informational table and spoke with those impacted by drunk driving to find out how our agency can best assist their needs. The event was empowering to those who attended and demonstrated that the community has the power to change and eradicate future DUIs.

Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women (CSVANW) held a training on September 20-21, 2018 on Implications and Resources of Minors and Sex Trafficking. The presenters varied from Lynn Sanchez (The Life Link) on Minors in Sex Trafficking to Bernie Teba (CYFD Tribal Liaison) on Indian Child Welfare Act Tribal Notification. Each presenter explained the unique struggles that NM faces when handling sex trafficking crimes, but also what resources there are to help the survivors overcome the trauma and how the state is tackling the crime.

Thank you to all who attended the 2018 NM Academy for Victim Assistance, in which two session dates were held on July 22-26 and September 9-13. The training included valuable presentations that discussed a diverse range of topics, such as ethics, accessibility, and resources for underserved populations. Each presentation prompted meaningful conversation on how victim service providers can collaborate and modify current procedure to best assist all victims in our state.