NATIONAL CRIMES VICTIMS’ RIGHTS WEEK

By Trishna Buch
National Crimes Victims’ Rights Week, which seeks to “emphasize the importance
of inclusion in victim services” takes place between April 8th and April 14th this year.  The Post was provided various documents of information, from different
sources, which all aided in the writing of this article. The theme of this
year’s week is Expand The Circle: Reach All Victims and
“addresses how the crime victim’s field can better ensure
that every crime victim has access to services and support
and how professionals, organizations and communities
can work in tandem to reach all victims.”
National Crimes Victims’ Rights Week, in Galveston
County, has been taken place for the past 15 years.
And during the week, a partnership forms between the
Galveston County District Attorney’s office and members
of the community to raise awareness, highlight programs,
honor victims, honor the professionals that assist
them and celebrate progress.
Information provided to The Post from a press release
by the Galveston County District Attorney’s office said:
“NCVRW honors and celebrates the achievements of
the past thirty 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, child and elder abuse
intervention programs as well as victim compensation
programs that pay victims’ out-of-pocket expenses such
as counseling, funeral expenses, and lost wages. VOCA
has also pioneered support efforts for victims of oncehidden
crimes such as domestic and sexual violence.
Outreach is increasingly focused on previously underserved
victim populations, including victims of color, the
disabled, religious and ethnic minorities, and immigrant
populations to name a few. Efforts are being made to
ensure that all victims, regardless of their background,
social economic status or the crime committed against
them, receive the support they deserve.”  The week starts with a candlelight
vigil, at 6:00pm at the Texas City Police Department, on April
8th. It is followed by a blood drive on April 9th, from 9:00 am to
3:00 pm at the League City Police Department and Drug Facilitated
Sexual Assaults Training on April 9th, from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm at
Clear Creek Community Church.  On April 10th there is a luncheon,
at 11:00 am, at Alvin Senior Center. On April 11th there
is a resource fair, named the “Together We Can Resource Fair”
at the League City Civic Center from 4:30 to 7:00 pm. On April
12th there is a program entitled Domestic Violence: Resources
to Recovery, from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm at NASA Aglow Praise
Chapel. The week closes on April 14th with a Crime Victims’
5K Walk, beginning at 8:00am at 61 and Seawall Boulevard.
All of the events are designed to honor the victims
of crime and raise awareness.
Showing support for crime victims is extremely important,
and that is why I ask all of you to try to make it out
to one of the many events taking place between April
8th and April 14th. Alao, for those of you who are going
to be participating in the walk, you can wear a t-shirt
with the name or picture of anyone you know who has
suffered from any type of crime—be it domestic violence
or otherwise. Let’s come together as a community and
show crime victims that they are heard, believed and
supported.