Call for ideas...

[Courtney Holston-Toth]

Hi there,

I know there are several networks on ning that allow victims of crime to provide support and guidance for one another. I don't want to re-invent the wheel. If you're looking for support and content from other victims of serious crimes, please join http://victimssupportnetwork.ning.com/ or resources about murdered or missing loved ones join http://victimsvoice.ning.com/.

I'm interested in speaking/emailing with people who would like to take this a step further and build a technology platform and service offering that would/could do the following:
1.) incorporate a social network so victims of crime could get emotional support from other victims of the same crime. It might include the ability to develop groups (i.e. assault, identify theft, rape, human trafficking, sex slavery, refugees from various locations), as well as the ability to make the groups private/secure to keep the wrong people from infiltrating the groups and victimizing existing victims.
2.) centralize a point for finding victim services/resources - victim advocacy and victim services are typically localized to either where the crime occurred or where you live. These services are offered by non-profits/charities, city/local police departments/precincts, county sheriff offices, district attorney/legal system offices and other parts of the criminal justice system depending on what state/country you are from or where you happen to be. There are also private businesses that would like to offer their services (could generate fees to fund the operations costs) like counseling, self defense, educational services. And some people/organizations/businesses might want to contribute financially to a charity or victims support fund.
3.) let the general public help the police/criminal justice system - by being able to upload pictures and videos (from mobiles/cell phones) of crimes or offenses they see, provide anonymous tips, and basically have a direct link to communicate information to the right channels. New York City has recently upgraded its 911(999) and 311 (finding city services) phone lines to be able to accept texts, pictures and videos from mobile phones in an attempt to allow people to provide authorities with as much information as is on hand. While security and other issues will have to be addressed (like integrating this system into existing technological infrastructure, facial recognition information, etc.), all of this technology already EXISTS and just needs to be integrated.

So that's it, that's the idea. I have a lot of experience with launching new ventures, finding funding, and getting the right people/businesses/organizations in place. I'm looking for like-minded people that are interested in moving this forward with me. I want this to exist, not just to support victims, but also to provide much needed information and resources to overstretched criminal justice departments/ministries in countries around the world.

Get in touch! Please let me know your ideas, objections, comments, questions. I can't do this one by myself ;).

[Seeker]

Hello, http://victimsvoice.ning.com/group/victimsvoicebloglog

I just added a few on Victims Voice~I called mine a Blog Log, just add a list of helpful sites. I am not finished, but wanted to show you what I was up too! I tried to add one to Victims Support, but I still need to work on that one a bit. Good luck and you may email me if you ever need to.

[Courtney Holston-Toth]

I think that's a great idea. Let me know what I need to do. I will add the other networks now!

[Seeker]

Hi Courtney, is it possible we insert links in our various blogs/accounts to each others blogs?That way we are all connected and we can provide information and resources to those suffering regardless of crime? I like the idea of sections for victims etc. I also wanted to list by state or country those who are missing (my pet project). I am pretty open to suggestions & ideas, thanks !