Commissioners sign proclamation for Highland County Prosecuting Attorney's Victim/Witness Program and National Crime Victims' Rights Week

Highland County will observe 2013 National Crime Victims’ Rights Week by honoring local crime victims on Thursday, April 25.

This year’s theme is "New challenges, New Solutions."

This theme reflects and celebrates the spirit that will advance the progress that has already been achieved.

At their Wednesday, April 24 meeting, Highland County Commissioners Shane Wilkin, Tom Horst and Jeremy Shaffer proclaimed the week of April 22-26 as National Crime Victims' Rights Week and reaffirmed the commitment of the Highland County Victim Witness Program to respect and enforce victims' rights and observe National Crime Victims' Rights Week.

Highland County Prosecuting Attorney’s Victim/Witness Program will observe this week with their fourth annual candlelight vigil on Thursday, April 25, 7 p.m., in the basement of Hillsboro Church of Christ, 155 W. Walnut Street.

Highland County residents who have lost their lives through crime will be honored and remembered. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend.

Highland County Prosecutor Anneka Collins said the Victim/Witness staff members "are truly first-responders."

"They are called out in the middle of the night. They are with the victims and their families. They are truly first-responders who get little recognition," Collins said. "As the court process goes, they coordinate everything that's happening with the victims and their families."

Tom Horst, a former county sheriff, said "It was always a big relief when these people showed up. I used them a lot when I was sheriff."

"(Victim/Witness personnel) also frees up law enforcement so they can focus on the investigation," Collins said. "I hear a lot of law enforcement praise them."

According to a news release from Victim Witness Director Barbara Shoemaker, "There has been remarkable progress for crime victims, despite many challenges. Only 30 years ago, crime victims had no rights, access to crime victim compensation, or services to help rebuild their lives. They were often excluded from courtrooms, treated as an afterthought by the criminal justice system, and denied an opportunity to speak at sentencing.

"Yet, through decades of advocacy and hard work, we have come a long way. Today, all states have enacted crime victims’ rights laws and established crime victim compensation funds. More than 10,000 victim service agencies help victims throughout the nation. Every year, states and localities receive millions of federal dollars to support these services. But National Crime Victims’ Rights Week reminds us that many challenges remain. Crime victims’ rights are not universal and are often not enforced."

Only a small percentage of the 18.7 million Americans harmed by crime receive crime victim compensation, which is usually limited to victims of violent crime.

Since taking office in June 2011, Highland County Prosecutor Anneka Collins' office has generated $104,000 in restitution from defendants, which has been returned to victims of crime.

For more information about 2013 National Crime Victims’ Rights Week and how to help victims in your community, or how to volunteer, please contact Highland County Prosecuting Attorney’s Victim/Witness Program at 937-393-5872.