U.S. Attorney's Office Joins in Recognizing National Crime Victims' Rights Week, April 7-13, 2019

PORTLAND— Every April, the Justice Department’s Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) leads communities across the country in observing National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW) to honor crime victims, promote their rights and recognize those who advocate on their behalf. This year’s observance takes place April 7-13, with the theme: Honoring Our Past. Creating Hope for the Future.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office joins its federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement partners in taking this opportunity to highlight the importance of providing necessary services at the earliest possible stage of victimization and litigation. Early intervention helps prevent further victimization and encourages victim involvement in the criminal justice system, mitigating the cycle of violence and restoring hope for the future.

“Victims of crime deserve justice. This Department works every day to help them recover and to find, prosecute, and convict those who have done them harm,” said Attorney General William P. Barr. “During this National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, we pause to remember the millions of Americans who have been victims of crime and we thank public servants who have served them in especially heroic ways. This week the men and women of the Department recommit ourselves once again to ensuring that crime victims continue to have a voice in our legal system, to securing justice for them, and to preventing other Americans from suffering what they have endured.”

“Protecting the rights and dignity of crime victims is as important a part of the administration of justice as completing an investigation or bringing a case to trial,” said Billy J. Williams, U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon. “Every day in courtrooms across the country, crime victims show great courage and strength by participating in the judicial process. It’s this courage that inspires prosecutors and law enforcement to tirelessly pursue justice in every case. I am proud to honor these victims and the people who serve them.”

OVC and the U.S. Attorney’s Office encourages widespread participation in the week’s events and in other victim-related observances throughout the year. The Justice Department will host OVC’s annual National Crime Victims’ Service Awards Ceremony in Washington, D.C. on April 12, 2019 to honor outstanding individuals and programs that serve victims of crime. For additional information about this year’s National Crime Victims’ Rights Week and how to assist victims in your community, please visit OVC’s website at www.ovc.gov.

If you or someone you know has been a victim of a crime, please contact your local law enforcement agency or your nearest FBI office immediately. The FBI Portland Field Office can be reached at (503) 224-4181.