U.S. Attorney’s Office Observes National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, April 23-29, 2023

RALEIGH, N.C – In commemoration of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW), the U.S. Attorney’s Offices of the Eastern and Middle Districts of North Carolina along with the Interagency Council of North Carolina (IAC) will be hosting a ceremony to bring the victim assistance community together to raise public awareness about victims’ rights, protections, and services. The public may attend the ceremony virtually on Tuesday, April 25, 2023 at 11:00 a.m.

The IAC works to assemble advocates that have the common goal of improving individual and systematic services to all victims of crime and their loved ones. The Council holds regular meetings and co-hosts the annual ceremony during NCVRW. The keynote speaker for the ceremony will be Monica Daye, a survivor whose story inspired the founding of her nonprofit, Stand Up Speak Out North Carolina. Governor Roy Cooper will also be making remarks at the ceremony.

 “Our office coordinated with local victims’ support advocates to provide services to more than 6,100 victims last year,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Easley. “We work to ensure that victims are supported and that their voices are heard at every step in the process. I encourage all those involved in the criminal justice system to come together, reflect, and learn from the stories of individuals impacted by all types of victimization to make positive change in our communities.”

“Each year, we come together for National Crime Victims’ Week to honor the memories of those who have been lost to violent crimes and to show support for the survivors and surviving family members. It is also an opportunity to show our appreciation to those in law enforcement who pursue justice for the victims,” said U.S. Attorney Sandra Hairston. “The work we do for victims is a top priority for our district. During this week, and throughout the year, we will continue to provide the victims and their families with information about the resources available to them through the federal government.”

"During National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, we recognize victims and survivors, acknowledge their pain and recommit ourselves to fight for them and for justice,” North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper said. "We’re working together to support and improve law enforcement and tackle the roots of violence in our communities through our new Office of Violence Prevention that can help make people safer for generations to come.”

The 2023 theme for NCVRW is Survivor Voices: Elevate. Engage. Effect Change., which calls upon communities to magnify the voices of survivors and pledge to create an atmosphere where survivors know they will be heard, believed, and supported. The theme underscores the importance of helping crime survivors find their justice by:

• elevating survivors’ voices,
• engaging with survivors to better inform policy and practice, and
• effecting change for the better.

The partners involved in the planning of the 2023 NCVRW ceremony work collaboratively to ensure that victims of crime rights are enforced, victims have access to services, and to ensure equity for all during each step of the criminal justice response process. 

Anyone interested in attending the ceremony virtually can register at https://usao.webex.com/usao/j.php?MTID=md9b2465452980cb0de7f89c20cd6b689.

For additional information about this year’s NCVRW and how to assist victims in your own community, please visit the United States Attorney’s Office website.  For more ideas on how to support victims of crime, visit OVC’s website at www.ovc.ojp.gov.