The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan announced on April 20 that it will observe National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW) from April 19 to 24, in partnership with the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office and the Detroit Crime Victims’ Action Team. The observance aims to recognize crime victims and those who support them.
National Crime Victims’ Rights Week is a time to reaffirm commitments to victims of crime and honor advocates who work on their behalf. This year’s theme is “LISTEN. ACT. ADVOCATE. Protect Victims, Serve Communities.” Events during the week are intended to raise awareness about victims’ rights and highlight ongoing efforts in victim advocacy.
“During National Crime Victims’ Right Week, we reaffirm the principle that victims will be heard, respected, and protected. We will prosecute the criminals and defend the vulnerable,” said United States Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon, Jr.
Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said: “Thank you – all of you – for your collective work restoring dignity, respect, and humanity to people within our state who have been abused, murdered, and victimized. Thank you for keeping the focus on them… Survivors matter. And we must be accountable to them. We cannot just give lip service to victims and public safety. We must mean it. We must be out and bold about it. We must live it.”
Events planned include a Survivor Walk at Belle Isle on April 19 at 10:00 am near Scott Fountain, followed by a community resource fair at Wayne County Criminal Justice Center on April 24 at noon in Detroit. Shauntaye Phillips will speak about her experiences as a survivor following her husband Harold Phillips’s fatal animal attack.
This year also marks the 42nd anniversary of the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA), which established important resources such as the Crime Victims Fund and federal support systems for crime survivors.
The Detroit Crime Victims’ Action Team includes representatives from local law enforcement agencies as well as federal organizations such as the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; Drug Enforcement Administration; Department of Homeland Security; Federal Bureau of Investigation; U.S Postal Inspection Service; Michigan Attorney General’s Office; U.S Attorney’s Office for Eastern District of Michigan; Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office; among others.
All members of the public are invited to attend these events.
