National Crime Victims’ Rights Week-Extending the VISION Reaching Every VICTIM
April 13, 2012 at 4:14 PM
National Crime Victims’ Rights Week- Extending the VISION Reaching Every VICTIM
National Crime Victims’ Rights Week will be observed April 22-28, 2012. Each April since 1981, The Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) has helped lead communities throughout the country in the annual observances of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW) by promoting victims’ rights and honoring crime victims and those who advocate on their behalf.
Patrick J. Flaherty, District Attorney, will recognize this week with a statement to commemorate National Crime Victims Rights week at the courthouse landing on Monday April 23, 2012 at noon. This event is open to the public and District Attorney Flaherty encourages community members to join this important event.
During NCVWR the DA’s office would like to honor and recognize victim advocates, volunteer victim advocates, Deschutes County Juvenile Community Justice, Saving Grace, KIDS Center, CASA and many other service groups, agencies and organizations that work tirelessly to advocate for victims of crime. On behalf of the District Attorney’s Office, the Juvenile Justice Center, and the community who benefit from the victim advocates efforts, we extend our utmost appreciation and thank them for their work.
Also this month, the Juvenile Justice Resource Center will recognize National Victims Awareness by providing training topics for in custody youth such as: bullying, harassment, hate crimes, trauma, robbery, & property crimes. They will complete these trainings during their Community Groups on each Saturday for the month of April. Their goal is to have the youth recognize and understand the harm they might have caused while enhancing their connection to the community, its residents and gain a sense of empathy and compassion for others.
The mission of the Deschutes County District Attorney’s Victims’ Assistance Program (VAP) is to involve crime victims and the community in a restorative process that diminishes the devastating impact of crime.
In 2011, the Deschutes District Attorney’s Office filed approximately 4, 437 criminal cases and of those cases 2,429 had listed victims. The Victims’ Assistance Program (VAP) provides services to victims of crime.
The staff and volunteers who comprise the VAP provide services to victims of all types of crime, including:
- Helping victims navigate the criminal justice system.
- Inform victims of their rights.
- Support, guidance and resource referral assistance to help provide stabilization.
- Case status information.
- Assistance with crime victims’ compensation and restitution.
- Courtroom accompaniment.
- Community education, outreach and public awareness.
For those interested in learning more about victims service programs in our community (donating, volunteering, or requiring services/information):
District Attorney’s Victims’ Assistance: (541) 388-6525
www.deschutesda.org/victimsassistance/
Juvenile Justice Center: (541) 388-6671
Saving Grace: (541) 389-7021
KIDS Center: (541) 383-5958
CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates): (541) 389-1618
The Deschutes County District Attorney’s Office encourages persons with disabilities to participate in all programs and activities. This event/location is accessible to people with disabilities. If you need accommodations to make participation possible, please call Diane at (541) 388-6525.