U.S. Attorney’s Office Commemorates National Crime Victims’ Rights Week

Anchorage, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder will join communities nationwide in observing National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW) and celebrating victims’ rights, protections and services. This year’s observance takes place April 19-25 and features the theme, “Seek Justice| Ensure Victims' Rights | Inspire Hope.”

“Together with our law enforcement partners, the U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to seek justice and safeguard victims’ rights for crime victims in Alaska,” said U.S. Attorney Schroder. “This week is a time to come together as a community and give hope to victims, showing them they are not alone.”

“National Crime Victims' Rights Week is an important time in which we are able to amplify the voices of all crime victims and shine a light on the programs and individuals who offer support,” said Victoria Shanklin, Executive Director of Victims for Justice.

During NCVRW, victim advocacy organizations, community groups and state, local and tribal agencies traditionally host rallies, candlelight vigils and other events to raise awareness of victims’ rights and services. This year, many communities are organizing virtual gatherings and online public awareness campaigns.  In Alaska, Victims for Justice (VFJ) will be holding the following events in observance of NCVRW:

• U.S. Attorney Schroder will be attending the live-stream of the annual tree ceremony on Facebook today, April 20, 2020, at noon, which is the centerpiece event for the awareness week honoring those affected by violent crime.  Colored ribbons, signifying 11 types of violent crime, will be tied onto branches to represent those who have been impacted by violent crime.
   
• Premiere of “Long Live Leroy” documentary on April 23, 2020: The mother of Leroy Lawrence, Angela Pointer, shares the impact that Leroy’s homicide has on her life and family. She shares her story and raises awareness on victims’ rights and needs. You can watch the video on VFJ’s Facebook Page or YouTube channel.
   
• Victim Service Awards Announcement on April 25, 2020, at 6:00 P.M. to thank those in our community for their dedication and outstanding contributions to victim services. The announcement can be watched on VFJ’s Facebook Page or YouTube channel.

Ronald Reagan proclaimed the first Victims’ Rights Week in 1981, putting crime victims' rights, needs and concerns in a prominent spot on the American agenda. He also established the President's Task Force on Victims of Crime, which laid the groundwork for a national network of services and legal safeguards for crime victims. President Trump and his administration have implemented historic levels of support for victim assistance and victim compensation.

Some 3.3 million Americans age 12 and older were victims of violent crime in 2018, according to the National Crime Victimization Survey. The Office for Victims of Crime, part of the Justice Department’s Office of Justice Programs, supports more than 7,000 local victim assistance programs and victim compensation programs in every state and U.S. territory. Funds for these programs come from the Crime Victims Fund, which is made up of federal criminal fines, penalties and bond forfeitures.

The Office of Justice Programs, directed by Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katharine T. Sullivan, provides federal leadership, grants, training, technical assistance and other resources to improve the nation’s capacity to prevent and reduce crime, assist victims and enhance the rule of law by strengthening the criminal and juvenile justice systems. More information about OJP and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov.