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

Columbia, South Carolina – United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that the United States Attorney’s Office has joined with state and local partners to honor National Crime Victims’ Rights Week.  Events included the South Carolina Victims’ Rights Week Conference, held April 2-4, and a Unity Ceremony on April 2. 

Each April, the Department of Justice and United States Attorneys’ offices observe National Crime Victims’ Rights Week nationwide by taking time to honor victims of crime and 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 annual observance is an opportunity to bring victim advocates, law enforcement, and crime victims together to increase awareness of victims’ rights and provider services.  It serves as a way to honor the courage and resilience demonstrated by those impacted by crimes and to pay homage to the advocates serving them. 

“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."

“The women and men in the U.S. Attorney’s Office work hard every day to uphold the rule of law, to keep the citizens of South Carolina safe, and to seek justice for victims of crime and their loved ones,” said U.S. Attorney Lydon.   This National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, we are honored to join victim advocates, law enforcement, and the community in remembering victims of crime and paying tribute to the public servants and advocates who serve, encourage, and empower them.  We are especially grateful to Brittany Todd, who shared the story of her assault and her daughter’s kidnapping and delivered an inspiring message of hope at this year’s Unity Ceremony.  Our office will forever be amazed at Brittany’s strength and resilience.”

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The Department of Justice’s Office for Victims of Crime, within the Office of Justice Programs, leads communities across the country in observing National Crime Victims’ Rights Week each year. President Ronald Reagan proclaimed the first National Crime Victims’ Rights Week in 1981 to bring greater sensitivity to the needs and rights of victims of crime.  More information about the Office of Justice Programs and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov. More information about Crime Victim’s Rights Week can be found at https://ovc.ncjrs.gov/ncvrw/.

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