National Crime Victims’ Rights Week Event Set for April 2 in Charlottesville

Charlottesville, VIRGINIA – The Jefferson Area Victim Assistance Coalition will host a Community Day on Sunday, April 2 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Sprint Pavilion on the downtown mall in Charlottesville to commemorate National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (April 2-8).

“Every day in courtrooms throughout the United States victims of crime show great courage and strength by participating in our judicial system,” Acting United States Attorney Rick A. Mountcastle said today. “Their strength and resilience, as well as the dedication of the men and women in the victim advocacy community, who work with them, inspire prosecutors and law enforcement to seek justice for all victims. I am proud to honor victims and those who serve them. National Crime Victims’ Rights Week is dedicated to promoting victims’ rights and to recognizing the struggles and endurance of crime victims. Strength, Resilience, and Justice.”

The Community Day, which is free and open to the public, has been planned as a family friendly, interactive event with demonstrations and information available from dozens of local agencies. There will be plenty for kids to see and do, including police motorcycles, fire trucks, police cars, and demonstrations by local K9 Officers and therapy dogs. Many of the local agencies will have plenty of giveaways for the kids.

In addition, there will information available for parents, including DNA and fingerprinting kits available, anti-drug information, tips on home safeguarding, self-defense and how to avoid falling victim to scams.

The Jefferson Area Victim Assistance Coalition consists of members form the Albemarle Co. Victim/Witness Program, Charlottesville Victim/Witness Program, Fluvanna County Victim/Witness Program, Greene County Victim/Witness Program, Homeland Security Victim Assistance Program, Louisa County Victim/Witness Program, Sexual Assault Resource Agency, University of Virginia Victim/Witness Program, the Federal Bureau of Investigation Victim Assistance Program, the Shelter for Help in Emergency and the United States Attorney’s Office Victim/Witness Program.

Local Agencies participating in Sunday’s event include: the Jefferson Area Victim Assistance Coalition, Foothills Child Advocacy Center, Greene County Victim/Witness Program, Albemarle County Victim/Witness Program, Louisa County Victim/Witness Program, Charlottesville Victim/Witness Program, Shelter for Help in Emergency, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Virginia, Sexual Assault Resource Agency, UVA Police Department, Derby Dames, Albemarle DSS, CASA, Central Virginia Legal Aid Society, Women’s Initiative, Albemarle County Commonwealth’s Attorney, Albemarle County Police Department, Greene County Care Center, NGIC Sexual Assault Advocate/SART, WCHV 107.5 Radio, OAG Victim Services, Charlottesville Police Department, Louisa County Sheriff’s Office, Charlottesville Fire Department, DEA, Domestic Violence Project of the University of Virginia School of Law and the Virginia Parole Board/DOC Victim Services.