As part of a nationwide effort to promote awareness of crime victim rights, the Washington Coalition of Crime Victim Advocates (WCCVA) is seeking design submissions for public awareness materials for National Crime Victim Rights Week.

WCCVA has a design contest for both car magnet ribbon designs and window cling decal designs that promote awareness of crime victim rights and/or express support for victims of crime. The winning design for each category will be produced and distributed free of charge throughout the state during National Crime Victim Rights Week, which is April 10-16.

Along with each design submission is a chance for the artist to share his or her experience as a victim of crime or to express his or her support for victims of crime. The designs and stories submitted will be posted on WCCVA’s website.

“Our hope is that crime victims, advocates, and those who support them will be able to use this as an opportunity to both express their support for crime victim rights, share their own stories and experiences, and increase awareness of victim rights,” Karla Salp said, executive director for WCCVA. “Many victims find sharing their experiences to be a healing process, and that by sharing their stories, some good might come from what is otherwise often a horrifying situation.”

The project is one of many efforts by the coalition to give victims and their friends and family and opportunity to share the impact of crime with others. Last September, WCCVA launched its online “Wall of Memories,” which features photos and stories of homicide victims and their families. The Wall of Memories is still available on WCCVA’s website.

For more information about the design contest or to submit a design, you can visitthe WCCVA’s website or call them at 360-456-3858.