For more information contact:
Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen E. Rhew
(850) 942-8424
UNITED STATES ATTORNEY THOMAS F. KIRWIN COMMENDS CELEBRATION OF 2009 NATIONAL CRIME VICTIMS’ RIGHTS WEEK
Gainesville, Florida - Sunday, April 26, 2009, marks the beginning of “National Crime Victims’ Rights Week,” a time to focus on victims of crime and to commend our nation’s progress in serving them. This year’s theme, “25 Years of Rebuilding Lives: Celebrating the Victims of Crime Act,” honors a landmark national commitment to victims of crime.
Moved by the findings of the President’s Task Force and the tireless work of victim advocates, the United States Congress passed the “Victims of Crime Act (VOCA)” in 1984. VOCA created the “Crime Victims Fund,” financed not by taxpayer contributions, but by fines and penalties paid by criminal 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 suffered in the aftermath of crime, such as medical care, counseling, lost wages, and funerals. It also helps finance victim assistance programs that provide physical and emotional care and guidance to victims navigating their way through the criminal justice system. Rape crisis and domestic violence programs are examples of such programs. For example, during 2006, the Crime Victims Fund supported more than 4,400 public and nonprofit agencies serving almost 4 million victims, and paid more than $440 million in victim compensation.
“Every day in every state, VOCA shows victims they are not alone,” said John W. Gillis, former director of the Office for Victims of Crime, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. “VOCA represents hope, renewal, and a nation that stands behind victims of crime.”
“Every one of us knows a crime victim, and sadly, many of us have been victims of crime,” said United States Attorney Tom Kirwin. “VOCA and countless other laws and policies reflect the tremendous progress that has been made over the past four decades in securing legal rights, protections, and services for victims of crime. Our office is dedicated to fully exercising those laws and policies to the benefit of crime victims.”
During this week of celebration (April 26 - May 2), events will be taking place all over the country to honor crime victims and those who have chosen to serve them and to protect victim rights. Locally, there will be an exhibit at the Oaks Mall, near the entrance to Belk, on Sunday through Thursday, featuring a dinner table with empty seats, to symbolize the victims no longer at the table. Additionally, on Thursday, April 30 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., the Annual Victims’ Rights Week Candle Lighting Ceremony will take place at Squirrel Ridge Park, 1603 SW Williston Road (behind Meridian Behavioral).
Crime can strike anyone. Victims’ rights are everyone’s rights. The United States Attorney’s Office encourages your participation in Coalition or other victims rights’ activities as we celebrate this week the progress we have made and will continue to make on behalf of crime victims.
Additional information and resources for victims of crime are available on the following websites:
The National Center for Victims of Crime (NCVC) www.ncvc.org
Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ovc
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children www.missingkids.com