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Irving, Texas  – Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) revealed today the organization’s best kept secret—free victim services—with the release of its first-ever national victim services public awareness campaign.  The theme, “We help survivors survive,” anchors the campaign, which is funded by the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs’ Bureau of Justice Assistance and administered by the Office for Victims of Crime. 

“Every day we provide an ear to listen, a hand to hold and a shoulder to lean on for victims/survivors of drunk driving.  With that emotional support also comes practical information such as guidance through the court system and help untangling financial problems.  And it’s all for free,” says Wendy J. Hamilton, MADD national president.  “Although we are one of the leading crime victim assistance organizations in the nation, our victim services are not widely known.   We want to change that so more drunk driving victims/survivors can find help and hope.”

MADD has served bereaved and injured drunk driving victims/survivors since the organization started in 1980.  More than 1,200 trained victim advocates across the country are available the moment a family is tragically touched by drunk driving and for as long as needed.  Victim advocates can help with support groups, applying for government funded financial assistance, attending DUI criminal and civil court proceedings with victim families or in place of them, writing victim impact statements and more.

The public awareness campaign was created to raise public awareness of MADD’s victim services among drunk driving victims/survivors who may not know of the support available.  Since research shows that three out of every ten Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related crash in their lifetime, the campaign was also designed to inform the public where to turn for help in the event they are impacted or know someone who has been affected.   

There are several campaign materials including print ads, which are currently running in People (January 24 issue) and Woman’s Day (February issue).

Illora Herndon of Hesperia, Calif., saw the ad in Woman’s Day and immediately called.  “My son and I were seriously injured in a drunk driving crash three years ago.  All that time I have felt like no one understands what I am going through, but when I saw the ad, I knew MADD would.  Now I have a victim advocate I can talk to.  I plan to attend support groups and share my story in hopes that it helps others.  Calling MADD has helped me feel like I can live again.”

In June 2001, Herndon and her 5-year-old son, Dakota, swerved to miss an oncoming drunk driver when the drunk driver also swerved causing Herndon to broadside the offender’s car.  The offender had a .19 percent blood alcohol content, more than double the illegal drunk driving limit in California and all 50 states and D.C.  The drunk driver was sentenced to two years in state prison.

Herndon called the new MADD toll free victim hotline number—877-MADD-HELP—which is listed on all of the campaign materials.  The number was created to make sure victims/survivors are immediately connected to the victim services department at the MADD national office.  Beginning this February, a trained grief counselor will answer the line after business hours and on weekends so victims/survivors can find help 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  Victims/survivors can also find MADD’s victim services by calling their local chapter or state office or by going online at www.madd.org/victims

“There are thousands of people whose hearts have been broken and lives shattered due to a preventable drunk driving tragedy.  MADD understands and can help pick up the pieces,” says Debbie Weir, director of victim services.  “As a result of this campaign, we hope more victims/survivors come to MADD for help and that the public will hear about our supportive victim services and tell others.”

Other campaign elements include a new MADD Victim Services logo, a 30-second television public service announcement (PSA) directed by award-winning director Noam Murro, two one-minute radio PSAs, billboards and brochures.  Print ads are also currently running in several trade publications targeting professions that are typically the first contacts for new victims of drunk driving such as police officers, sheriff’s deputies, nurses, funeral home directors and district attorneys.  A print ad is also available in Spanish.  The PSAs are available to view or download online at www.madd.org/psa

MADD victim advocates across the country served more than 27,000 victims/survivors of drunk driving in 2003.  Every year, more than 17,000 people are killed and half a million others are injured in alcohol-related traffic crashes.

MADD is celebrating its 25^th anniversary this year with the theme “MADD Celebrates Life,” which speaks to the 300,000 lives MADD has helped saved through its lifesaving work.  Founded in 1980, MADD’s mission is to stop drunk driving, support the victims of this violent crime and prevent underage drinking.  MADD has approximately 600 chapters and two million supporters and members nationwide with affiliates in Canada, Japan, Puerto Rico and Sweden.  For more information, visit www.madd.org 

Source: MADD