Highland County Prosecuting Attorney's Victim/Witness Program marks National Crime Victims' Rights Week April 6-12
Courtesy of Teresa Wisecup
Administrative Assistant
Highland County Prosecuting Attorney’s
Victim/Witness Program
Highland County Prosecuting Attorney’s Victim/Witness Program, along with the nation, will observe 2014 National Crime Victims’ Rights Week April 6-12, 2014.
This year’s theme, 30 Years: Restoring the Balance of Justice, celebrates 30 years of the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) and its critical mission of victim assistance programs across the nation.
Extraordinary progress that has been made on behalf of millions of victims since the passage of the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) in 1984. Before this historic legislation was enacted, the world was very different for crime victims, their families, and communities.
Local service providers who could meet victims’ needs for support, counseling, or shelter were few. The criminal justice system too often failed to recognize victims’ needs to be included in the justice process. Crime victim compensation programs were not consistently available and had no source of federal support.
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For three decades, the crime victims’ field has opened its doors and customized services to a wider range of crime victims, including victims of color, victims with disabilities, American Indian and Alaska Natives, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender victims, children exposed to violence, labor and sex trafficking victims, and victims of elder abuse.
Services for victims and survivors have become more inclusive, recognizing that we all have a part to play in their recovery - from the role played by multidisciplinary teams and allied professionals to that of the wider public. Service delivery has also become more flexible, meeting victims where they are as they move through the recovery process to rebuild their lives.
The Fifth Annual Highland County Prosecuting Attorney’s Victim/Witness Program’s Candlelight Vigil will be held on Tuesday, April 8, at 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.