U.S. Attorney’s Office and Partners Invite the Public to Observe National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, April 18-24

The U.S. Attorney’s Office and our partners at Tulsa Metropolitan Ministry, Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office, Tulsa Crime Stoppers, and the Family Safety Center join communities nationwide in observing National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, April 18-24, 2021, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. The week promotes victims' rights, celebrates progress made in the field, and honors crime victims. This year’s theme is “Support Victims. Build Trust. Engage Communities”.

“The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Oklahoma stands with victims of crime and their families. We also recognize the unwavering support and vital work that our law enforcement and community partners perform every day to secure victims’ rights and support survivors,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. “This week my office and our partners invite the public to join us as we encourage and show support to victims of crime."

* Throughout the week, the public is invited to join the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our partners virtually as we observe National Crime Victims’ Rights Week on the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s social media sites (FB: @usaondok; Twitter: @USAO_NDOK). Starting Sunday, April 18, Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson will kick off the week-long virtual awareness event. Also, Tulsa Mayor GT Bynum will share a proclamation in support of crime victims. Throughout the week, messages of support and resource information will be shared by law enforcement, victim services agencies, and faith-based organizations from northeastern Oklahoma. The public is encouraged to share and comment in support of victims.

* Sunday at dusk, also look for the sky to be illuminated pink, purple, or yellow by several Tulsa businesses in honor of victims of crime.  Businesses include ONEOK, ONE GAS, Oklahomans for Equality, and KJRH Ch. 2. Other businesses are also welcome to join in support.

* Also, an in-person public event, “A Community Day of Hope,” will be held Friday, April 23, from 10 am to 2 pm at Tulsa’s Promenade Mall west parking lot, (4107 South Yale Ave.) The event will be held outside due to COVID-19 considerations. Approximately 35 law enforcement, victim services and community agencies will share public safety and victim resource information. The Tulsa Fire Department will also distribute 200 backpacks to the public.

* Nationally, the Justice Department’s Office for Victims of Crime recognizes individuals and organizations that demonstrate outstanding service in supporting victims. The 2021 National Crime Victims’ Service Awards Ceremony will be held virtually on April 23, 2021, from 3:00 to 4:30 pm eastern time. Learn more and register to watch the ceremony live. #NCVRW2021 https://go.usa.gov/xH3zv

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 (OVC), 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.

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.

Agencies participating in “A Community Day of Hope” on April 23 at Tulsa’s Promenade Mall include:

U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Oklahoma

Tulsa Crime Stoppers

Tulsa Metropolitan Ministry

Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office

Family Safety Center

Counseling & Recovery Services of Oklahoma

AAA

American Dream Center

Muscogee (Creek) Nation Family Violence Prevention Program

CASA

Oklahoma Department of Human Services - Adult Protective Services

Tulsa Fire Department

Traffic Safety Division/Oklahoma County Sheriff's Office/Oklahoma Highway Safety Office

FBI

Sand Springs Police Department

Tulsa Police Department Victim Witness Unit

Tulsa Police Department Community Engagement Unit

LIFE Senior Services

Oklahoma Highway Patrol

The Coffee Bunker

Surayya Anne Foundation Tulsa County District Attorney’s Office/Victim Witness Center

Wyandotte Nation Family Violence Prevention Program

SANE Program/Forensic Nursing

211 Eastern Oklahoma, Community Service Council

Marsy's Law of Oklahoma

Camp Hope

Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma

Cherokee Nation One Fire Victim Services

The Tristesse Grief Center

Equality Center of Oklahoma

YWCA

Parkside Psychiatric Hospital & Clinic

Ascension St. John Medical Center

DVIS (Domestic Violence Intervention Services)