Each year, during the month of April, NOVA honors and recognizes National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and Child Abuse Prevention Month. This month provides us with an opportunity to raise awareness of these important issues and educate communities and individuals on resources available to victims and survivors. This year is especially notable as it marks NOVA’s 50th anniversary serving victims and survivors of crime in Bucks County.
NOVA has worked to develop a variety of events this April and we invite you to join us throughout the month in-person and on social media.
All events are open to the public and most are FREE to attend. Some events may require preregistration. For more information, call 215-343-6543. We hope that you will join us for one or more events in April.
We further invite you to follow us on social media to view our “Conversations with a Counselor” series throughout the month, to learn more about the roles Victim Advocates and Forensic Interviewers, and to explore more information related to supporting victims and survivors, self-care, and violence prevention.
Thank you to the National Association of VOCA Assistance Administrators (NAVAA) and the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC), within the Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice, for awarding us with funding to hold our panel discussion to promote community awareness of crime victims’ rights and services during National Crime Victims’ Rights Week.
Additionally, we would like to thank Yogamazia and Native Cafe for partnering with us this month. We are grateful to have Voices Against Violence in our community who support NOVA’s work.
A note for victims and survivors:
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault or another victimization, April may be a difficult time for you. NOVA’s Helpline (1-800-675-6900) is always open and available should you need assistance or someone to talk to.
April 1 - Follow NOVA on Social Media
April 2 - Conversations with a Counselor: Bubble Breathing
Bubble breathing is a technique that allows you to pause, focus on a single activity, and think about your breathing during times of stress. Visit our Facebook page on 4/2 for the full video featuring Sydney, a NOVA Counselor!
April 3 - ClothesLine Project
This month, NOVA will be participating in the ClothesLine Project. The purpose of the project is to increase awareness of the impact of violence and abuse, to honor a survivor’s strength to continue, and to provide another avenue for them to courageously break the silence that often surrounds their experience.
If you would like to write a message or decorate a paper shirt for our clothesline, they will be available at any of our April events, and in the lobby of all of our offices all month long. You can also leave a comment or send us a private message on Facebook and we will fill out a shirt for you.
We invite you to share your voice, your story, or an inspiration in your healing journey.
April 4 - Smarter Parents, Safer Kids
This interactive workshop helps parents learn about healthy sexual development, how to talk to their kids about sexual abuse, and how to keep them safe. The Smart Parents program helps adult caregivers tackle tough conversations with their children, along with empowerment and support.
April 5 - Spring Cleaning
Clean out your closets and make a donation to NOVA Thrift Shop! NOVA Thrift Shop is one of the largest revenue sources for NOVA, surpassed only by the federal and state government. Your donations allow us to provide vital programs and services for victims and survivors and the Bucks County community.
Click here to read our donation guidlines and learn more about NTS!
April 6 - Ask an Advocate
Visit our Facebook page on this day to learn more about the role of a Victim Advocate!
April 7 - Visit Native Cafe in Doylestown and grab a coffee with a NOVA cup sleeve!
12 S Main St, Doylestown, PA 18901
April 8 - Walk and Reflect
Walking can be a beautiful way to “self-reflect.” Going for a walk in nature benefits both your mind and body. It can enhance your mood, boosts your immune system and increases energy levels. Take some time to safely get out in nature for all the healthy benefits that walking provides.
April 9 - Conversations with a Counselor: Grounding
April 10 - #StaySafeOnline - Learn About Digital Consent
April 11 - Book Club: What is a Girl Worth?
Join us and discuss the book What is a Girl Worth? by Rachael Denhollander in honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month and Child Abuse Prevention Month.
April 12 - Join a BCAT Subcommittee!
April 13 - Join us for a free children's yoga class at Yogamazia!
April 14 - Learn about the role of a Forensic Interviewer
Visit our Facebook page on this day to learn about the role of a Forensic Interviewer!
April 15 - Mindful Monday
Mindfulness is a great tool to keep in your coping skills toolbox! Mindfulness can be defined as the mental state that is achieved by focusing on and being fully immersed in the present moment. This includes paying attention to and accepting thoughts, feelings, and body sensations as they come up and exist in the current moment. Mindfulness can be utilized to help regulate emotions, calm the body, and decrease intrusive thoughts. Mindfulness can also help decrease stress levels in the body and increase feelings of relaxation.
There are many ways to incorporate mindfulness into our daily routines, both at work and our personal lives. From practicing active listening skills to meditation, mindfulness practices help us focus on the present with curiosity, kindness and acceptance. One of our favorite ways to practice mindfulness—partially because it’s ideal for anyone from novice to advanced and partially because we like to go outside—is by taking a mindful walk.
April 16 - Conversations with a Counselor: Validation & Affirmation
Visit our Facebook page on this day to learn more about Validation & Affirmations with NOVA Counselor Amber!
April 17 - Have a conversation about consent
Talk with your loved ones about the importance of consent in everyday life! An easy way to remember the basics of consent is using the acronym FRIES. Consent is:
Freely given
Reversible
Informed
Enthusiastic
Specific
For more information about consent, click here.
April 18 - Place your silent auction bids!
Check out our silent auction items and get your bids in before it’s too late! Bidding closes at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, April 19.
April 19 - A Starlit Evening
Enjoy a fun-packed evening as we honor NOVA’s 50th anniversary and all of the staff, volunteers, partners and donors that have made us who we are today, while we raise funds to support our continuum of programs that make NOVA a leader across the region in victim services and violence prevention education.
April 20 - Movie Recommendation: Athlete A
Watch Athlete A to learn the story of how reporters from The Indianapolis Star exposed the toxic culture inside USA Gymnastics as the truth about Dr Larry Nassar sexual abusing young gymnasts came out.
Click here to view the trailer.
Content warning: This film may be triggering to anyone who has been affected by sexual assault and child abuse.
April 21 - Volunteer Appreciation Week!
Visit our Facebook page all week long to learn more about our amazing volunteers and the vital work they do to support NOVA’s mission!
April 22 - National Crime Victims' Rights Week - Join us at the Rally
Join us at the Crime Victims’ Rights Rally in Harrisburg! Click here to learn more
Sunday, April 21st marks the start of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week.
During NCVRW, the Office for Victims of Crime leads communities across the Nation to honor victims and recognize the professionals who support them.
The 2023 NCVRW theme is How Would You Help? The 2024 theme asks all of us—friends, family members, neighbors, colleagues, community leaders, victim service providers, criminal justice practitioners, and health professionals—how we can help crime victims. Are you prepared if someone confides in you about a victimization? Is your organization victim-centered and trauma-informed? Are you familiar with the services available in your community?
Join OVC and NOVA during NCVRW 2024 as we commit to elevating and engaging survivors to lift their voices, inform policy and practice, and thereby effect change. By engaging survivors, we will ensure our responses and services to victims and survivors are credible, meaningful, and centered on their individual needs.
April 23 - Panel: How We Help Crime Victims
Join us for a Panel Discussion with organizations who provide key services that support victims of crime including representatives from NOVA, the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office, Bucks County Children and Youth, and Law Enforcement. As joining the panel will a survivor of crime who will talk about their experience and the services/support they received. The discussion will explore the web of services that work to help victims and prevent crime in Bucks County.
April 24 - Denim Day
Wear denim to show your support for survivors of sexual assault! Post a photo and tag us on social media or send us a message with you photo and we’ll share it on our page!
April 25 - Take Back the Night
Join NOVA for Holy Family University’s Take Back the Night walk and panel!
April 26 - Become a NOVA Volunteer!
Click here to learn more about volunteer opportunities and how you can help NOVA Support Victims and Stop Violence!
April 27 - Strike a Pose
Check out our Facebook page to learn more about the benefits of yoga for mental health!
April 28 - Join us at Bucks Culture Fest!
April 29 - ClothesLine Project Update
April 30 - Conversations with a Counselor: Supporting Survivors
NOVA Counselor Kevin will walk us through ways to support someone who is suffering from trauma. Visit our Facebook page on 4/30 to see the full video.