THE DAILY NEWS

BOGALUSA n The month of April has become one in which to remember victims of crimes. And several events are planned in and near Washington Parish with the intention of increasing awareness and celebrating and promoting survival.

This Friday, Washington Parish President will proclaim April National Sexual Assault Awareness Month, according to Charlette Fornea, director of the parish Rape Crisis Center.

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Throughout the month, the Center will release statistical and support information. And teal "End Sexual Violence" vehicle magnets will be available at the center and other sites throughout the parish for $4. Decals will be available for $2 and press-on ribbons will be available for a $1 donation in support of services for victims and their families.

The Clothesline Project, a display of t-shirts designed to represent "what victims have survived," will be housed at Franklinton High School during the first full week of April. The exhibit will move to Varnado High School for the second week of the month. It will be set up at Pine High School the third week of April, and at Bogalusa High School for the final week.

April 10 through 16 has been declared National Crime Victims' Rights Week. And Washington Parish Sheriff Aubrey Jones is scheduled to join St. Tammany Parish Sheriff Jack Strain and District Attorney Walter Reed in a special program in honor of victims at 2 p.m. on the steps of the Justice Center in Covington on April 14.

The public is invited to attend the program, entitled, "Victims of Crime, Silent No More," which will focus on increasing public awareness about the impact of crime on victims and on the importance of providing support and assistance to victims as a critical and core component of justice in America.

Representative crime victims as well as workers with the Children's Advocacy Center, in representation of victims of child abuse, will be recognized during the ceremony.

Later in the month, some local crime victims and their advocates will travel to Baton Rouge from Washington Parish to take part in the Governor's Breakfast for Survivors.

And on April 29, Washington Parish will celebrate Jeans for Justice Day, when people are urged to wear black t-shirts and blue jeans in support of victim's rights. Specially designed t-shirts will be available at the Washington Parish Rape Crisis Center, 216 Memphis St., and other outlets.