Vanessa R. Waldref, United States Attorney for the Eastern District ofWashington, announces National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW), which will beobserved from April 23–29, 2023. The federal Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) leadscommunities throughout the country in annual observances of National Crime Victims’ RightsWeek by raising awareness of victims’ rights and honoring crime victims and those whoadvocate on their behalf.
This year’s theme is “Survivor Voices: Elevate. Engage. Effect Change.” During this week, theDepartment of Justice recognizes the individuals and groups whose advocacy has propelled thevictims’ rights movement forward for the past half century, inspiring in victims and their lovedones a feeling of hope for progress, justice, and healing. Partner organizations are committed toengaging with victims of crime; learning from their lived experiences; amplifying their voices;and fostering an environment where they are heard, believed, and supported.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington seeks to raiseawareness about crime victims’ issues and rights and introduce our communities to the importantresources and services available. This matters because, according to a report from the Bureau ofJustice Statistics, in 2021, there were more than 4.6 million violent victimizations and 11.7million property crimes, the latest year for which such information is available. PresidentRonald Reagan proclaimed the first National Crime Victims’ Rights Week in 1981 to bringgreater sensitivity to the needs and rights of victims of crime and the Department of Justice isproud to continue this important annual recognition.
U.S. Attorney Waldref reaffirmed the commitment of the United States Attorney’s Office for theEastern District of Washington to supporting the rights of crime victims. “Our mission is tosecure justice for the victims of crime and to prosecute those who have done them harm. To dothis, we work closely with our law enforcement partners to address criminal activity in all of ourcommunities, and we engage with victims’ advocacy organizations to support survivors andreduce the pain that so many victims of crime continue to endure.”
OVC and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington encouragecontinued participation in victim-related observances throughout the year. For additionalinformation on how to support victims of crime, visit OVC’s website at www.ovc.gov or contactthe U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington’s Victim Witness Program at(509) 353-2767.
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