UNITED STATES ATTORNEY ALICE H. MARTIN NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ALABAMA
	FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE			CONTACT: KAREN NARAMORE
	APRIL 23, 2009			PHONE: (205) 244-2001
	www.usdoj.gov/usao/aln			FAX: (205) 244-2171

National Crime Victims’ Rights Week - April 26 - May 2, 2009
“25 Years of Rebuilding Lives: Celebrating the Victims of Crime Act”

            Alice H. Martin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama announces the observance of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week - April 26 - May 2, 2009.  This years’ theme, “25 Years of Rebuilding Lives: Celebrating the Victims of Crime Act,” honors a landmark national commitment of victims of crime.
            In recognition of this special week, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Alabama and the Birmingham Police Department  will  co-sponsor their annual Prayer Breakfast/Awards Program on Friday, May 1, 2009 from 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.  This program will be held at the Harbert Center, located at 2019 Fourth Avenue, North, Birmingham, Alabama.

            Our keynote speaker is Mr. Marc Klaas.  In the aftermath of the October 1, 1993 kidnap and murder of his twelve-year-old daughter Polly, Mr. Klaas announced the formation of KlaasKids Foundation in September 1994.  This foundation was developed to give meaning to Polly’s death and create a legacy in her name that will be protective of children for generations to come by pursuing the singular mission of stopping crimes against children.  In June 2001, he co-founded BeyondMissing, Inc., which provides America’s law enforcement community with a free and secure Website to easily and swiftly create and distribute missing child flyers via broadcast fax, email, and SMS technology.  Mr. Klaas has appeared on most network television, news magazines, syndicated talk shows and is a regular resource for CNN, FOX, and MSNBC, offering commentary on missing children and victims’ rights.
            Also, during this event we will recognize individuals that have demonstrated outstanding service in supporting victims and victim services.
            Before 1984, victims of crime received little public support.  The President’s Task Force on Victims of Crime, formed by President Ronald W. Reagan in 1982, found widespread poor treatment of victims by a criminal justice system indifferent to their needs.  Although most states had some form of victim compensation, most programs were poorly funded.  Despite the few victim assistance programs available in some states and the federal effort to fund victim/witness programs throughout the nation, most communities relied on a few grassroots organizations–funded by sporadic private donations and bake sales–to help victims of crime.
            In 1984, moved by the President’s Task Force report findings and the work of victim advocates, Congress passed the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA), which created the Crime Victims Fund, financed not by taxpayers but by fines and penalties paid by offenders.  In 25 years, the Fund has grown from $68 million to more than $2 billion and is disbursed throughout the nation in amounts determined by Congress every year.
            The Fund supports victim compensation programs, which reimburse victims for many out-of-pocket expenses–such as medical care, counseling, funerals, and lost wages–that victims face in the aftermath of crime.  It also helps fund victim assistance programs–such as rape crisis and domestic violence programs–that support victims by providing physical and emotional care and guidance in navigating the criminal justice system.  In 2006, VOCA funds supported more than 4,400 public and nonprofit agencies serving almost 4 million victims, and paid more than $440, million in victim compensation.
                        Members of our community are encouraged to join crime victims, survivors, and those who serve them in commemorating National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, April 26th through May 2nd, 2009.
                                                                                   
            For more information about this event please contact Lynnette C. McGowens at (205) 244-2091 or via email at Lynnette.McGowens@usdoj.gov.