America Commemorates the 2014 National Crime Victims’ Rights Week
30 Years: Restoring the Balance of JusticeThe District Attorney’s 22nd annual vigil for crime victims will be held Tuesday, April 8, at 6:00 p.m. at the YWCA located at 525 South Quincy. “We have many community partners who have worked hard to make this event special and we hope that everyone will join us,” Fields said. The featured speaker will be Ryle Lowe, a victim of a drunk driver. The vigil will conclude with the speak-out portion of the program in which any victim who chooses to do so will have an opportunity to address the audience.
District Attorney Mike Fields announced that the week of April 6-12, is National Crime Victims’ Rights Week. The District Attorney’s annual Crime Victims’ Vigil will once again highlight the week’s activities. Fields said this year’s theme—30 Years: Restoring the Balance of Justice honors the extraordinary progress that’s been made on behalf of millions of victims since the passage of the Victims of Crime Act in 1984.
“Only 30 years ago, the criminal justice system seemed indifferent to the needs of crime victims. Victims had virtually no rights and no voice,” Fields said. “Victims were commonly excluded from courtrooms and denied the chance to speak at sentencing. They had no access to services to help rebuild their lives, and there were few avenues to help them deal with their emotional and physical wounds. Victims were essentially on their own to recover their health, security, and dignity.”
But Fields pointed out that times have indeed changed: “Through decades of advocacy and hard work, we’ve come a long way.” He pointed out that today all states have enacted crime victims’ rights laws and established crime victim compensation funds. These victim compensation funds are not financed by taxpayers but by fines and penalties paid by offenders. They support services such as domestic violence and rape crisis programs and they pay victims’ out of pocket expenses like counseling and funeral expenses that were incurred because of crime. In addition, more than 10,000 victims’ service agencies now exist to help victims across the nation.
Despite this progress however, Fields said important work remains: “Crime Victims’ Rights Week reminds us that our work is not finished. We must continue to shine a spotlight on crimes and abuses that have long been under reported and often not prosecuted like domestic violence, sexual violence, and elder abuse. Our commitment to reaching every victim of crime is stronger than ever.”
For three decades, National Crime Victims’ Rights Week has successfully promoted the awareness of victims’ rights and services and honored countless crime victims and survivors. Fields said, “Every year, millions of innocent people become victims of crime. National Crime Victims’ Rights Week represents hope, healing, and justice. Our message to all crime victims is this: You are not alone.”
Fields said victims in Garfield County are served by victim assistance programs that identify and address the immediate, short-term, and long-term needs of crime victims and survivors. “We provide crime victims with information about their rights and the many services that are available to help them. If you or someone you know is a victim of a crime, we want to help,” Fields said.
The District Attorney’s 22nd annual vigil for crime victims will be held Tuesday, April 8, at 6:00 p.m. at the YWCA located at 525 South Quincy. “We have many community partners who have worked hard to make this event special and we hope that everyone will join us,” Fields said. The featured speaker will be Ryle Lowe, a victim of a drunk driver. The vigil will conclude with the speak-out portion of the program in which any victim who chooses to do so will have an opportunity to address the audience.
The event is sponsored by District Attorney Mike Fields, YWCA Crisis Center, Garfield County Sheriff’s Office, Enid Police Department, Garfield County Child Advocacy Council, Garfield County Juvenile Office, Garfield County Domestic Violence Task Force, Carver Education Center, Vance AFB Airman and Family Readiness Center, and Vance AFB Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office.
For additional information about the 2014 National Crime Victims’ Rights Week or the Victims’ Vigil, please contact J.D. Overton, District Attorney District 4 Victim Witness Coordinator at 580-233-1311.
