Highland County to commemorate National Crime Victims' Rights Week

Highland County Commissioners proclaimed the week of April 22-28 as National Crime Victims' Rights Week at their April 18 board meeting.

With the theme of “Extending the Vision: Reaching Every Victim,” the Highland County Prosecuting Attorney’s Victim/Witness Program will commemorate National Crime Victim's Rights Week, April 22-28.

National Crime Victims’ Rights Week is a time to honor crime victims and our nation’s progress in advancing their rights. This year’s theme, “Extending the Vision: Reaching Every Victim” celebrates the vision behind that progress and the ideal of serving all victims of crime.

Highland County Prosecuting Attorney Anneka Collins' Victim/Witness Program will observe the week with their third annual candlelight vigil on Thursday, April 26 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. The vision that launched the victims’ rights movement emerged more than 30 years ago.

Then, as now, crime victims endured physical and emotional wounds, costly financial burdens, an often hostile criminal justice system, and an alarming public tendency to blame them for the crimes against them. Victims were often excluded from courtrooms, disrespected by officials, and afforded few rights. They began organizing to confront these challenges and to promote fair, compassionate, and respectful responses to victims of crime.

For additional information about National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, 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.