National Crime Victims' Rights Week, Observance

News Release: From: Vanderburgh County Officials support Crime Victims during a Local Observance of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (Evansville / IN) Citizens are invited to join Vanderburgh County Prosecutor Stan Levco, Vanderburgh County Sheriff Eric Williams, and Evansville Police Chief Brad Hill for an observance of local crime victims on April 14, 2008 at 11:30 a.m. in front of the fountain at the Vanderburgh County Civic Center Building on Martin Luther King Junior Blvd. Stan Levco will read a proclamation to mark the beginning of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, April 14-19. Williams and Hill will talk about the local crime victims’ rights. This Local event will coincide with public rallies, candlelight vigils, and other activities being held across the nation, to honor victims, their families, and service providers. The nationally selected theme for crime victims’ rights weeks is “Justice for Victims, Justice for All.” Local service providers from Albion Fellows Bacon Center, Holly’s House, the Lampion Center, Vanderburgh County Prosecutor Victim’s Assistance Program, and YWCA will be present at the observance to launch balloons in colors to represent different types of crime victims. The purpose of this event is to raise awareness around crime victims’ rights. Whether it’s a drive-by shooting, a campus massacre, an act of terrorism, or a crippling identity theft, we are all vulnerable to crime. As we confront ever more complex challenges, we remind the public that victims bear the brunt of crime. Crime can strike anyone so crime victims’ rights are everyone’s responsibility. In 2005, 23 million crimes were committed in the United States; of these, 5.2 million were violent and 18 million were property crimes.