U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Missouri issued the following announcement on April 5.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Missouri, in commemoration of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW), April 7–13, 2019, is supporting events throughout the community to raise awareness about crime victims’ issues and rights and introduce the community to the important resources and services available. According to the most recent Bureau of Justice Statistics’ National Crime Victimization Survey, U.S. residents age 12 or older experienced 3.1 million violent victimizations and U.S. households experienced an estimated 13.3 million property crimes in 2017.
Advancement of victims’ rights and issues surrounding victimization will occur throughout the week, including:
Vigil for families of homicide victims and crime survivors on Saturday, April 6, 2019, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Saints Teresa & Bridget Church, 2401 N. Grand Boulevard, St. Louis, MO 63106
MADD’s annual “Card Making Event” in support of victims of victims of drunk or drugged driving will be held on Saturday, April 6, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at MADD’s Missouri State Office, 500 Northwest Plaza, # 705, Saint Louis, MO 63074
Gun lock giveaway will be held on Monday, April 8, 2019, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Crime Victim Center, 539 N. Grand Boulevard, Saint Louis, MO 63103
Trivia night to benefit the Saint Louis Crime Victim Center is also scheduled for 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 27, 2019, at the JFK Community Center, 315 Howdershell Road, Florissant, MO 63031
National Crime Victims’ Rights Week Closing Fair scheduled from 2 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. on Friday, April 12, 2019, at the Emerson Performance Center, 3026 Laclede Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63103
“Victims of crime deserve justice. This Department works every day to help them recover and to find, prosecute, and convict those who have done them harm,” said Attorney General William P. Barr. “During this National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, we pause to remember the millions of Americans who have been victims of crime and we thank public servants who have served them in especially heroic ways. This week the men and women of the Department recommit ourselves once again to ensuring that crime victims continue to have a voice in our legal system, to securing justice for them, and to preventing other Americans from suffering what they have endured."
“Every crime victim deserves our honor and respect. This week is an important opportunity for each of us, as a member of this community, to show our unyielding support of all victims and renew our commitment to keeping our community and its members safe,” said U.S. Attorney Jeff Jensen. “This office is humbled by the strength of those who have survived a crime and those friends, family members, and victim advocates who support and fight for those members of our community who have been victimized. We stand with you each and every day.”
Each year in April, the Department of Justice and United States Attorneys’ offices observe National Crime Victims’ Rights Week nationwide by taking time to honor victims of crime and those who advocate on their behalf. In addition, the Justice Department and U.S. Attorneys’ offices organize events to honor the victims and advocates, as well as bring awareness to services available to victims of crime. This year’s observance takes place April 7-13, with the theme: Honoring Our Past. Creating Hope for the Future.
The United States Attorney’s Office encourages widespread participation in the week’s events and in other victim-related observances throughout the year. The U.S. Department of Justice will host the Office for Victims of Crime’s annual National Crime Victims’ Service Awards Ceremony in Washington, D.C. on April 12, 2019, to honor outstanding individuals and programs that serve victims of crime.
The Department of Justice’s Office for Victims of Crime, within the Office of Justice Programs, leads communities across the country in observing National Crime Victims’ Rights Week each year. President Ronald Reagan proclaimed the first National Crime Victims’ Rights Week in 1981 to bring greater sensitivity to the needs and rights of victims of crime.
Original source can be found here.