DMACC's National Crime Victims' Rights Week
For the week of April 6, 2026, join us across DMACC locations to show support of survivors and victims of crime in our community.
This is an opportunity to learn about and participate in helping victims of crime feel validated and backed by local neighbors, family, friends, crime officials/experts, health providers, and more.
All events and activities are free and open to the public!
- crime survivors
- first responders
- friends and families of survivors
- health care providers
- law enforcement officers
- local community
- those interested in self-care strategies
- victim services providers or advocacy services
Contact DMACC professor Samantha O’Hara at sjohara@dmacc.edu with questions.
NCVRW at DMACC Events 2026
Ankeny Events
Monday, April 6
Bldg. 2, Room 10: 3:30 – 5:00 pm: Bingo NCVRW fundraiser held by DMACC criminal justice students.
Tuesday, April 7
Bldg. 5 Student/Dining Space: 8:00 am – 2:30 pm: DMACC Graphic Design stickers and buttons available; NCVRW Historical Timeline on display; DMACC Libraries Literary Walk.
Virtual Session: 9:45 am - 10:45 am: Cheyenne Hanson, “Transformation from Trauma to Survivor: Building a More Informed Community to be Stronger Together”. Note: This session is planned to be livestreamed to campuses/centers and the community. It will be recorded for later viewing. Details are forthcoming for how to watch.
Bldg. 5 Black Box Theatre: 10:00 am – 2:00 pm: “What They Wore” installation by the DMACC Fashion Design Program; “Creative Wall” installation by DMACC students and community survivors. A triumph and victory over trauma original classical piece of music composed by a DMACC student will be played.
Bldg. 5 Student/Dining Space: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm: Children and Families of Iowa and Iowa Attorney General’s Office tabling event to share resources
Bldg. 5 Student/Dining Space: 11:30 am – 12:45 pm: Victim Support and Advocacy Tabling Event – many local governmental and non-governmental agencies to share resources
Bldg. 5 Student/Stage Space: 11:30 am – 12:45 pm: DMACC Cybersecurity Club and faculty to provide tips regarding digital footprints and open source intelligence activities
Bldg. 5 East Plaza by the Fountain: 11:30 – 12:30 pm: Human Services Club, students, and faculty, “Healing Bonfire”
Bldg. 5 Conference Center, Rooms 1240 C, H:
- 8:00 am – 2:00 pm: Student Showcase Open House
Bldg. 5 Conference Center, Rooms 1240 E, D, F, G:
- 11:30 – 12:30 pm: Session: Emma Dedic, Iowa Department of Corrections.
- 1:00 – 2:00 pm: Tuesday Keynote speaker: Cheyenne Hanson, “Transformation from Trauma to Survivor: Building a More Informed Community to be Stronger Together” Q&A, and book signing to follow
Bldg. 5 Conference Center, Rooms 1240 B, I:
- 8:15-9:15 am Session: Open
- 10:00 – 11:00 am: Session: ISU Admyre
- 11:30 – 12:30 pm: Session: Kate Burgess, artist, “Rock Painting to Relax” at the high-top tables by the Student Activities Office.
- 1:00 – 2:00 pm: Session: [None. Please attend the Keynote Session]
Bldg. 5 Conference Center, Rooms 1240 A, J:
- 8:15-9:15 am Session: David Gonzalez, Iowa Law Enforcement Academy, and Devon Greiter, Hope for Justice, “Human Trafficking: A Victim-Centered Approach”
- 10:00 – 11:00 am: Session: Laura Christensen, Blank STAR Center, child advocacy centers.
- 11:30 – 12:30 pm: Session: Tiffany Allison, Soaring Hearts Foundation.
- 1:00 – 2:00 pm: Session: [None. Please attend the Keynote Session]
Wednesday, April 8
Bldg. 5 Student/Dining Space: 8:00 am – 2:30 pm: DMACC Graphic Design stickers and buttons available; NCVRW Historical Timeline on display; DMACC Libraries Literary Walk.
Bldg. 5 Black Box Theatre: 10:00 am – 2:00 pm: “What They Wore” installation by the DMACC Fashion Design Program; “Creative Wall” installation by DMACC students and community survivors. A triumph and victory over trauma original classical piece of music composed by a DMACC student will be played.
Bldg. 5 Student/Dining Space: 11:30 am – 12:30 pm: DMACC Cybersecurity Club and faculty to provide tips regarding digital footprints and open-source intelligence activities
Bldg. 5 East Entrance/Plaza by the Fountain: 11:30 am – 12:45 pm: NCVRW Better Together Community Walk, dignitaries speak 11:30-11:45 pm, and then walk to the pond and loop back
Bldg. 5 Conference Center, Rooms 1240 C, H:
- 8:00 am – 2:00 pm: Student Showcase Open House and ARL Therapy Dog (time to be determined)
Bldg. 5 Conference Center, Rooms 1240 E, D, F, G:
- 8:15-9:15 am Session: Kimberly Wills, Children and Families of Iowa, “More Than a Story: A Walk in Her Shoes Experience”
- 10:00 – 11:00 am: Session: Open
- 11:30 – 12:30 pm: Session: [None. Please attend the Better Together Community Walk]
- 12:50 – 2:15 pm: Wednesday Keynote Speaker: Roseann Sdoia Materia, Boston Marathon Bombing Survivor, in collaboration with DMACC’s War and the Human Experience Speaker Series.
Bldg. 5 Conference Center, Rooms 1240 B, I:
- 8:15 – 9:15 am Session: Quin Moss, DMACC, “Train your Nervous System through Yoga” (space for 20)
- 10:00 – 11:00 am: Session: Margaret Lano and Jessica Winter, “The Intersection of Crisis Services & Law Enforcement: Urbandale Police Crisis Intervention Team”
- 11:30 – 12:30 pm: Session: [None. Please attend the Better Together Community Walk]
- 1:00 – 2:00 pm: Session: [None. Please attend the Keynote Session]
Bldg. 5 Conference Center, Rooms 1240 A, J:
- 8:15 - 9:15 am Session: None.
- 9:00 – 10:00 am: Session: ISU Admyre.
- 10:00 – 11:00 am: Session: Shannon Knudsen, SAFE Center of Iowa.
- 11:30 – 12:30 pm: Session: [None. Please attend the Better Together CommunityWalk]
- 1:00 – 2:00 pm: Session: [None. Please attend the Keynote Session]
Friday, April 10
Bldg. 2, Room 10, 1:00 – 2:15 pm: Speaker, Nikki Romer, National Alliance for Drug-Endangered Children, “Hidden in Plain Sight: Why We’re Better Together in Community Response
Week of April 6
DMACC Libraries Story Walk® outdoor reading experience with DMACC alum Alyvia Moran's poem "A Healing Voice" along the Building 5 courtyard.
Ames Hunziker Events
Tuesday, March 31
Morning and afternoon sessions with Soaring Hearts Foundation. More information to come.
Tuesday, April 7
9:45 am - 10:45 am: Virtual Session: Cheyenne Hanson, “Transformation from Trauma to Survivor: Building a More Informed Community to be Stronger Together”. Note: This session is planned to be livestreamed to campuses/centers and the community. It will be recorded for later viewing. Details are forthcoming for how to watch.
Week of April 6
Community partners welcome to share resources. ACCESS will have an informational table. DMACC Graphic Design stickers and buttons available. More information to come.
Boone Events
Tuesday, April 7
9:45 am - 10:45 am: Virtual Session: Cheyenne Hanson, “Transformation from Trauma to Survivor: Building a More Informed Community to be Stronger Together”. Note: This session is planned to be livestreamed to campuses/centers and the community. It will be recorded for later viewing. Details are forthcoming for how to watch.
Wednesday, April 8
12:00 - 1:00 pm: “Hidden Scars,” speaker Cheyenne Hansen. More information to come.
Community partners welcome to share resources. DMACC Graphic Design stickers and buttons available. More information to come.
Week of April 6
DMACC Libraries Story Walk® indoor reading experience with DMACC alum Alyvia Moran's poem "A Healing Voice" in the Courter Center on the second floor of the Academic Wing.
Carroll Events
Wednesday, April 1
4:00 - 6:30 pm: ISU Admyre. Location: Knott’s Commons.
DMACC Graphic Design stickers and buttons available
Tuesday, April 7
9:45 am - 10:45 am: Virtual Session: Cheyenne Hanson, “Transformation from Trauma to Survivor: Building a More Informed Community to be Stronger Together”. Note: This session is planned to be livestreamed to campuses/centers and the community. It will be recorded for later viewing. Details are forthcoming for how to watch.
Week of April 6
DMACC Libraries Story Walk® indoor reading experience with DMACC alum Alyvia Moran's poem "A Healing Voice" outside the library in the Western Hallway on the West Wall.
Newton Events
Tuesday, April 7
8:00 – 9:00 am: Victim support posters, created by students, on display in the main campus building atrium; Donation Drive of hygiene items to the Family Crisis Center
9:45 am - 10:45 am: Virtual Session: Cheyenne Hanson, “Transformation from Trauma to Survivor: Building a More Informed Community to be Stronger Together”. Note: This session is planned to be livestreamed to campuses/centers and the community. It will be recorded for later viewing. Details are forthcoming for how to watch.
11:30 – 12:30 pm: Community partners welcome to share resources. Family Crisis Center will have an informational table. DMACC Graphic Design stickers and buttons available
Wednesday, April 8th
1:15 pm, Room 210: Two Guest speakers: (1) A Victim Advocate and (2) Meggan Guns, S.A.F.E. Center of Iowa
Perry VanKirk Events
Tuesday, April 7
9:45 am - 10:45 am: Virtual Session: Cheyenne Hanson, “Transformation from Trauma to Survivor: Building a More Informed Community to be Stronger Together”. Note: This session is planned to be livestreamed to campuses/centers and the community. It will be recorded for later viewing. Details are forthcoming for how to watch.
Hotel Pattee, Thursday, April 9
7:45 am – 9:15 am: Kimberly Willis, Children and Families of Iowa, “More Than a Story: A Walk in Her Shoes Experience”, Shannon Knudsen with the SAFE Center of Iowa, and a NCVRW Better Together Community Walk. DMACC Graphic Design stickers and buttons available. NCVRW Historical Timeline will be available.
2:00 – 3:15 pm: Kimberly Willis with Children and Families of Iowa, “More Than a Story: A Walk in Her Shoes Experience”, Shannon Knudsen with the SAFE Center of Iowa, and a NCVRW Better Together Community Walk. DMACC Graphic Design stickers and buttons available. NCVRW Historical Timeline will be available
Southridge Events
Tuesday, April 7
9:45 am - 10:45 am: Virtual Session: Cheyenne Hanson, “Transformation from Trauma to Survivor: Building a More Informed Community to be Stronger Together”. Note: This session is planned to be livestreamed to campuses/centers and the community. It will be recorded for later viewing. Details are forthcoming for how to watch.
8:00 - 9:15 am: Kimberly Willis, Children and Families of Iowa, “More Than a Story: A Walk in Her Shoes Experience” with a criminal justice class; other Southridge classes are also welcome. More information to come.
DMACC Graphic Design stickers and buttons available.
Templeton Events
Tuesday, April 7
9:45 am - 10:45 am: Virtual Session: Cheyenne Hanson, “Transformation from Trauma to Survivor: Building a More Informed Community to be Stronger Together”. Note: This session is planned to be livestreamed to campuses/centers and the community. It will be recorded for later viewing. Details are forthcoming for how to watch.
Transportation Institute Events
Tuesday, April 7
9:45 am - 10:45 am: Virtual Session: Cheyenne Hanson, “Transformation from Trauma to Survivor: Building a More Informed Community to be Stronger Together”. Note: This session is planned to be livestreamed to campuses/centers and the community. It will be recorded for later viewing. Details are forthcoming for how to watch.
Friday, April 10
12:00 - 1:00 pm: Human Trafficking session with David Gonzalez with Iowa Law Enforcement Academy and Devon Greiter with Hope for Justice, “Human Trafficking: A Victim-Centered Approach”
This event may not open to the public. More information to come
Urban Events
Tuesday, April 7
Virtual Session: 9:45 am - 10:45 am:Cheyenne Hanson, “Transformation from Trauma to Survivor: Building a More Informed Community to be Stronger Together”. Note: This session is planned to be livestreamed to campuses/centers and the community. It will be recorded for later viewing. Details are forthcoming for how to watch.
Between Bldg. 1 and 7:
- 12:00 - 1:00 pm: "Chalk the Walk" - Chalk a Positive Message to Your Urban Community
Wednesday, April 8
UC01-141/142:
- 10:10 - 11:05 am: Viewing of Waking at Oak Creek with popcorn provided by DMACC Student Activities Council. Description: Waking at Oak Creek is a short documentary that captures the aftermath of a hate crime against the Sikh community in Oak Creek, Wisconsin. The film highlights the resilience and unity of the community as they come together to honor the victims and seek a safer and more inclusive society.
All month is DMACC "Urban Cares" - a collaboration between the Urban Library and the Urban Counseling Department. In the library, there is a book and handout display related to NCVRW with books available for check out.
Between Bldg. 1 and 7:
- 12:00 - 1:00 pm: "Chalk the Walk" - Chalk a Positive Message to Your Urban Community
Thursday, April 9
Bldg. 7, Room 170-171:
- 11:15 - 12:40 pm: Speaker, Roseann Sidoia Materia, a survivor of the Boston Marathon Bombing, presented by the DMACC War and Human Experience Speaker Series.
- 2:00 - 4:00 pm: Speed Friending, Location TBD,
Between Bldg. 1 and 7:
- 12:00 - 1:00 pm: "Chalk the Walk" - Chalk a Positive Message to Your Urban Community
Week of April 6
DMACC Graphic Design stickers and buttons available
DMACC Libraries Story Walk® outdoor reading experience with DMACC alum Alyvia Moran's poem "A Healing Voice" between Buildings 1 and 7.
West Events
Tuesday, April 7
9:30 am – 12:30 pm: ISU ADMYRE
9:45 am - 10:45 am: Virtual Session: Cheyenne Hanson, “Transformation from Trauma to Survivor: Building a More Informed Community to be Stronger Together”. Note: This session is planned to be livestreamed to campuses/centers and the community. It will be recorded for later viewing. Details are forthcoming for how to watch.
Wednesday, April 8
8:00 – 9:00 am: ISU ADMYRE
9:40 – 11:05 am, Auditorium: Speaker, Roseann Sidoia Materia, a survivor of the Boston Marathon Bombing, presented by the DMACC War and Human Experience Speaker Series.
12:50 - 2:15 pm: ISU ADMYRE
Thursday, April 9
8:00 – 3:00 pm: Student Showcase; Club West Displays; DMACC Libraries Literary Walk; DMACC Graphic Design stickers and buttons available.
9:45 – 10:45 am: Speakers from Urbandale Police Department’s Crisis Services Unit.
11:45 – 12:45 pm: West Des Moines Police Department Speaker and NCVRW Better Together Community Walk
Week of April 6
DMACC Libraries Story Walk® outdoor reading experience with DMACC alum Alyvia Moran's poem "A Healing Voice" along the lake.
Resources
- Assault Care Center Extending Shelter & Support
- Awareness for Tribal Communities
- Dorothy's House
- Hope for Justice
- HSI Victim Assistance Program - 866-872-4973
- Human Trafficking in Tribal Communities
- Human Trafficking on College Campuses
- Iowa Attorney General - Trafficking
- Iowa Legal Aid - 800-532-1275
- Iowa Network Against Human Trafficking and Slavery
- Iowa Office to Combat Human Trafficking
- Report Suspect Child Exploitation
- Spot Human Trafficking on College Campuses
- U.S. Department of State
- Aging Resources of Central Iowa
- Amani Community Services
- Benefits for Noncitizen Crime Victims
- DHS-Protect Native Communities from Human Trafficking
- EMBARC
- EBARC Crisis and Advocacy Service
- Human Trafficking in Tribal Communities
- Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs
- Iowa M.A.D.D.
- L.U.N.A. Latinas Unidos Por Un Nuevo Amanecer
- Meskwaki Nation--Sac & Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in Iowa
- Nisaa African Family Services
- One Iowa
- Sac and Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in Iowa
- Tapping for First Responders
- The Ken Eaton Foundation
- The Trevor Project
- Thrive Together
- 211 Iowa
- 988 Lifeline
- 988 Suicide Prevention
- Crisis & Advocacy Services - Polk County
- Crisis Intervention & Advocacy Center
- DMACC Counseling
- Iowa Attorney General
- Iowa Attorney General's Office
- Iowa Crime Victim Assistance Division
- Iowa Legal Aid -800-532-1275
- Iowa Long Term Care Ombudsman
- Iowa Organization for Victim Assistance
- M.A.D.D. - Iowa Chapter
- Polk County
- Polk County Crisis & Advocacy Services
- Resource List for Financial Assistance in Polk County
- Trauma Informed Yoga in DM area
- Victim Assistance Section
Videos
DMACC’s Nondiscrimination Policy is available online. Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all DMACC sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires an accommodation in order to participate in this event, please contact 515-964-6234 or dso@dmacc.edu. If you need a sign language interpreter please complete the online Sign Language Interpreter Request.
For general information or questions, contact Samantha O’Hara, DMACC Criminal Justice Professor, sjohara@dmacc or 515-964-6667