United States Attorney’s Office Observes National Crime Victims’ Rights Week

SAVANNAH, GA – This week is National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, a time to raise awareness about crime victims’ rights, and our nation’s progress in advancing those rights. This year’s theme, Strength, Resilience, Justice, reminds us all that victims are strengthened by the response they receive; that organizations are resilient in response to challenges; and, that communities are able to seek collective justice and healing.

Since the 1980s, our nation has made dramatic progress in securing rights, protections, and services for victims of crime. Every state has enacted victims’ rights laws, and most states have constitutional victims’ rights amendments. All states have victim compensation funds, and more than 10,000 victim service agencies have been established throughout the country. The Office for Victims of Crime, U.S. Department of Justice, supports a range of programs for crime victims, and seeks to extend those services to those who are underserved.

The 2004 Crime Victims’ Rights Act (CVRA) grants victims in federal criminal proceedings certain enforceable rights, including the right to be reasonably heard at public court proceedings and to receive full and timely restitution as provided by law. The Southern District of Georgia has a dedicated Victim-Witness Unit that serves federal crime victims across the District’s 43 counties. Members of this Unit notify victims of significant case events through the Department of Justice’s Victim Notification System. Such notice allows victims to participate in court proceedings and to make their voices heard. In 2016, U.S. Attorney’s Offices’ across the country provided over 13 million case notices and accompanied over 22,000 victims to court hearings and trials. In addition to notification and court accompaniment, the victim units provide other essential services to victims, such as making referrals for counseling, securing temporary housing and assisting with access to victim compensation funds.

In conjunction with National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Georgia and Criminal Justice Department of Savanah State University are sponsoring training for victim advocates, first responders and law enforcement officers on strategies for interactions with the mentally ill. The training will be held April 13^th in Savannah, Georgia. For more information, please contact Law Enforcement Coordinator Dan Drake at (912) 201-2669 or dan.drake2@usdoj.gov.