National Crime Victims Week next week

VW independent/submitted information

Every April, the Office of Victims of Crime (OVC) helps lead communities throughout the country in their annual observances of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW) by promoting victims’ rights and honoring crime victims and those who advocate on their behalf.

This year’s Victims’ Rights Week will be held April 19-25, with the theme “Engaging Communities. Empowering Victims”, presenting the opportunity to highlight the diversity of communities, expand partnerships to serve victims of crime, enhance efforts to meet victims where they are and empower crime victims as they pursue justice and recovery.

The U.S. Department of Justice will kick off the week with OVC’s annual National Crime Victims’ Service Awards Ceremony in Washington, D.C., to honor outstanding individuals and programs that serve victims of crime.

The YWCA of Van Wert will observe National Crime Victims’ Rights Week with special events and programs, including a free self-defense class for adults held from 6-8 p.m. Monday, April 20; a free self-defense class for youths and a violent toy exchange, held from 6-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 22; and a visual awareness display located on YWCA property.

Also on Tuesday, April 21, Crisis Care Line/House of Transition and Van Wert County Crime Victims Services will conduct an open discussion featuring local crime victims, local service providers, a representative of the YWCA Domestic Violence Services program, and Rachel Hudson, a representative of the Ohio Attorney General’s Office of Crime Victims’ Services.

Hudson will present an overview of victim’s compensation and the VINE (Victim Information and Notification Everyday) program. All are invited to join from 5-7 p.m. that day in the Ohio State University Extension meeting room on the Van Wert County Fairgrounds. Complimentary refreshments and literature will be provided.

For more information regarding this event, call Crisis Care Line/House of Transition 419.238.HELP (4357).

National Crime Victims’ Rights Week honors and celebrates the achievements of the past 30 years in securing rights, protections and services for victims. The bipartisan Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) passed by Congress in 1984 created a national fund to ease victims’ suffering. Financed by fines and penalties paid by offenders, the Crime Victims Fund supports victim assistance and services, such as rape crisis and domestic violence programs and victim compensation programs that pay victims’ out-of-pocket expenses such as counseling, funeral expenses, and lost wages.

The Victims of Crime Act has also pioneered support efforts for victims of once-hidden crimes such as domestic and sexual violence. Outreach is increasingly focused on previously underserved victim populations, including victims of color, religious and ethnic minorities, LGBTQ victims, and immigrant populations to name a few. Efforts are being made to ensure that all victims, regardless of their background or the crime committed against them, receive the support they deserve.

“Victim empowerment is a central tenant of our work,” said Joye E. Frost, director of the Office for Victims of Crime, U.S. Department of Justice. “By engaging the entire community, we are able to maximize and leverage existing resources to better serve all victims of crime and provide the necessary support through their journey to healing. This year’s NCVRW theme emphasizes that we all have a role to play.”

The Office for Victims of Crime encourages widespread participation in the week’s events and in other victim-related observances throughout the year.