U.S. Department
of Justice
Victim/Witness Assistance Unit
Teresa Moore, United State Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, presented the 2024 Crystal Kipper & Ali Kemp Memorial Award to Rasta, a courtroom therapy dog, and the golden retriever’s handler and owner, Jennifer Vernon.
The award, presented annually during National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, honors the memories of Ali Kemp and Crystal Kipper, both of whom were fatal victims of tragic crimes. This is the 20th year for the award, which recognizes the outstanding work of an individual or organization in recognition of a valued contribution to preventing and responding to the exploitation of children.
The overall purpose of our Victim/Witness Assistance Program is:
- to enhance and protect the necessary role of crime victims and witnesses within the Federal criminal justice process;
- to form partnerships with State and local communities to establish and provide important victim services and rights; and
- to assure our best efforts in affording victims the following rights pursuant to 42 U.S.C. Section 10606(b):
Crime Victim's Bill of Rights
A crime victim has the following rights:
(1) The right to be treated with fairness and with respect for the victim's dignity and privacy.
(2) The right to be reasonably protected from the accused offender.
(3) The right to be notified of court proceedings.
(4) The right to be present at all public court proceedings related to the offense unless the court
determines that testimony by the victim would be materially affected if the victim heard other
testimony at trial.
(5) The right to confer with attorney for the Government in the case.
(6) The right to restitution.
(7) The right to information about the conviction, sentencing, imprisonment, and release of the
offender.
The goal of the Federal Victim-Witness Program is to ensure that victims and witnesses of federal crimes are treated fairly, that their privacy is respected, and that they are treated with dignity and respect. The Victim-Witness Assistance Unit is committed to helping victims and witnesses of crime while they are involved with the federal criminal justice system. The staff can assist by answering questions about the federal prosecutorial process, provide information about crime victim compensation claims, court hearings, case status, and victim impact statements. Staff may also provide referrals to social service agencies, accompany victims/witnesses to court, and assist with the travel and lodging arrangements for out-of-district witnesses.
How to Contact Us:
Victim Witness Unit
United States Attorney's Office
400 East 9th Street, Fifth Floor
Kansas City, MO 64106
(816) 426-3122 or (800) 733-6558
FAX (816) 426-4349.
Complaint Form
Alleging Failure of Department of Justice Employee To Provide Rights To A Crime Victim Under the Crime Victims' Rights Act of 2004
(English Comlaint Form)
(Spanish Complaint Form)
Have you had intimate images of you shared without your consent?
Know your rights. You can now bring a federal civil lawsuit for the sharing of intimate images without your consent.
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