Victims’ Rights: America’s Values National Crime Victims’ Rights Week
Quad Cities, IA/IL - Citizens will join local officials at events throughout the Quad Cities to recognize National Crime Victims Rights Week April 13-19. These events, coinciding with public rallies, candlelight vigils, and other activities held across the nation, honor victims, their families and those who serve them.
This year’s theme is ‘Justice for Victims. Justice for All’. “Treating victims of crime with care and respect is a responsibility we all share, and it is a critical component in the foundation of our criminal justice system. So as we pursue justice against perpetrators of crime, we must also, at the same time, pursue justice for all individuals impacted by crime.” said Matthew G. Whitaker, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Iowa. Justice for victims has progressed dramatically since the 1980's. All states and the federal government have comprehensive victims’ rights laws, and 33 states have constitutional amendments to protect victims’ rights. Every state has a compensation fund, and thousands of victim service agencies help victims nationwide. Also, important laws, such as the federal Justice for All Act of 2004, extend protections to victims and close gaps in victims’ rights.
Despite such impressive progress, however, our nation has a long way to go. Even states with strong victims’ rights laws do not always honor these rights. Jurisdictions may fail to notify victims about the court proceedings or offender status, they may not give victims an opportunity to be heard at sentencing, fail to issue or enforce orders of restitution, or fail to inform victims about compensation they are entitled to receive. Some states limit specific rights to victim of violence, and in almost half the states, victims of nonviolent felonies have no rights.
“Injustice to victims weakens public safety,” said John W.. Gillis, director of the Office for Victims of Crime, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. “If victims are too discouraged to report crimes or serve as witnesses, our criminal justice system grinds to a halt. Every American has a stake in victims’ rights. “
The U.S. Department of Justice will launch National Crime Victims’ Rights Week in Washington, D.C. with it’s annual Candlelight Observance on April 10th.
Locally, activities or displays planned by the Quad Cities Crime Victim’s Rights Week
Committee include:
April 11-21 - Community Awareness Displays - featuring photos, names and statistics of crime victims.
Location: Genesis Medical Center West - 1401 W. Central Park Middle North side entrance, atrium Mainfloor, Davenport, IA.
Location: Rock Island County Courthouse-Rotunda -main floor, 210- 15th Street, Rock Island, IL.
Location: Scott County Administration Building - 428 Western Avenue, Main Floor lobby, Davenport,
April 15 - NOON - Proclamation for National Crime Victims Rights Week
Location: Moline Law Enforcement Center-1640 6th Avenue, Main Floor, Moline, IL . Awareness displays and refreshments served. Remarks by County, City and Federal officials from Iowa and Illinois and a victim speaker.
April 24-7:00-8:00 PM- Community Forum on Computer Safety and Cyberbullying
Location: North High School Auditorium, Davenport, Iowa
Open to all Quad City Families and Students grades 5 and up
April 25 - 5-9:00 PM- Take Back the Night
Location: Rock Island District Great River Plaza
For additional information regarding the activities for National Crime Victims’ Rights Week please call: Carla Veasy at The Rock Island County Children’s Advocacy Center, phone number 309-794-6451.