Commissioners issue National Crime Victims’ Rights Week proclamation; Victim Witness to host April 11 candlelight vigil

Highland County commissioners Brad Roades, Terry Britton and David Daniels issued a proclamation recognizing the week of April 6-12 as National Crime Victims’ Rights Week in Highland County during their Wednesday, April 2 meeting.

Accepting the proclamation were Highland County Victim Witness Director Ashley Sanders and victim advocates Lisa Dingey and Debbie Zile.

The Highland County Victim Witness staff told commissioners that to commemorate this annual observance, a candlelight vigil will be held Friday, April 11 from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Highland County Courthouse.

“This evening of reflection is dedicated to those who have experienced the impact of crime — survivors, families and loved ones — while also remembering those whose lives were taken too soon,” according to the vigil’s event page on Facebook. “Through the soft glow of candlelight, we will stand together in solidarity, ensuring that every victim’s voice is heard, their experiences acknowledged and their resilience honored. Whether you come to remember, support or stand for justice, your presence helps shine a light on healing, hope and strength in our community.”

“The candlelight vigil is going to be a very relaxed setting,” Sanders said. “It's just going to be a memorial service, basically. We have photos for all of the victims lost — through murder, vehicular manslaughter, arson — and it's really just to never forget the people that we've lost in Highland County.”

Sanders told commissioners that Victim Witness has collected close to 50 photos of victims of these crimes, dating back to 1978, to be displayed.

“We invite you to bring a photo of your loved one — whether they were lost to violence, a car crash, suicide, drug addiction, or any other tragedy — so we can ensure their names and faces are never forgotten,” the Victim Witness office posted on Facebook.” You will keep the photo, but a memory box for photos and written memories will be available if you wish to share a copy for HCVW’s memory records, honoring your loved one in a lasting way.”

Zile added that Sanders has reached out to businesses throughout the county to encourage them to either attend the vigil or to assist in raising awareness of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week with displays or special promotions.

“We're also planning to make this an annual event and to attempt to get the entire community behind it in the years to come,” Sanders said. “That's our goal.”

To participate in the candlelight vigil, or for more information, please call the HCVW office at (937) 393-5872.

After meeting with the Victim Witness representatives, Roades read the commissioners’ proclamation, which called attention to the 2025 National Crime Victims’ Rights Week theme of “Connecting < KINSHIP > Healing.

“This year’s theme of KINSHIP is a call to action to recognize that shared humanity should be at the center of supporting all survivors and victims of crime,” according to the National Office for Victims of Crime (https://ovc.ojp.gov). “KINSHIP is a state of being with survivors that drives vital connections to services, rights and healing. KINSHIP is where victim advocacy begins.”

To learn more about Highland County Victim Witness, including volunteer opportunities, visit facebook.com/hcvictimwitness.

For more from Wednesday's meeting, go to https://highlandcountypress.com/news/commissioners-discuss-issue-2-perm…

and

https://highlandcountypress.com/news/april-proclaimed-child-abuse-preve….

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