News Releases

National Crime Victims’ Rights Week April 23-29, 2023

MPD helps amplify voices of crime victims

Apr 22nd, 2023

The Mobile Police Department is commemorating National Crime Victims' Rights Week, April 23-29, with an art exhibit and an awareness walk. Organized locally by the MPD Victim Services Unit, this year's theme is "Survivor Voices: Elevate. Engage. Effect Change." 

"We want to amplify the voices of survivors of crime and educate them about their rights," said Brandie Battiste, a victim advocate for the Mobile Police Department. "Each day, we foster an environment where victims can be heard, believed, and supported."  

Battiste explained that investigations depend heavily on the information victims provide. "Our job as victim advocates is to make sure victims feel comfortable speaking up. We want them to know that they can trust the Mobile Police Department to help them," she added. 

Using their artistic talents, five students of ACCEL Academy are helping the MPD's Victim Services Unit raise awareness about National Crime Victims’ Rights Week and the importance of supporting victims in the local community. The students' artwork will be on display in the atrium of Government Plaza throughout National Crime Victims' Rights Week.    

Officers from MPD and the Victims Services Unit will also be participating in the Victims of Crime 3^rd Annual Awareness Walk on Friday, April 28, at 11 a.m. The community will see police walking with families whose lives have been forever altered by crime. The walk will start in the parking lot behind MPD Headquarters (2460 Government Blvd.) and end at Public Safety Memorial Park with a special ceremony. Anyone who has been a victim of crime or wants to support the cause is invited. Participants in the walk are asked to arrive at MPD Headquarters at 10:30 a.m.  

The Victim Services Unit is a program of the MPD's Office of Strategic Initiatives. It was launched in 2019 as one of Alabama's first municipal law enforcement-based victim services units. The MPD Victim Services Unit assists an average of 200 crime victims annually in the Mobile area.