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OFFICE OF THE
DISTRICT ATTORNEY
 COUNTY OF SHASTA

 

 

Gerald C. Benito
District Attorney

  
 
Assistant District Attorney
Robert J. Maloney
 

 

 

 

2010 NATIONAL CRIME VICTIMS’ RIGHT WEEK

SHASTA COUNTY PROMOTES FAIRNESS, DIGNITY, RESPECT FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME

 

April 16, 2010

 

            During the week of April 18-24, 2010 communities throughout the nation will rally to honor and support victims of crime.  On Tuesday, April 13, 2010, the Shasta County Board of Supervisors issued a proclamation at the request of the District Attorney’s ~ Crime Victims Assistance Center honoring this week as National Crime Victims Rights Week.

            With the theme, Crime Victims’ Rights; Fairness. Dignity. Respect, 2010 National Crime Victims’ Rights Week will recall the ideals that inspired the decades-long struggle of the victims’ rights movement and challenge all Americans to honor victims’ rights.

            Only a few decades ago, unfairness, indignities, and disrespect confronted many victims of crime.   As of 2010, every state has passed victims’ rights laws, and 32 states have constitutional victims’ rights amendments.  All states have victim compensation funds, and more than 10,000 victim assistance programs exist throughout the country.  Such changes have made victims participants, rather than bystanders, in the criminal justice system.

            Yet much work remains.   The Office for Victims of Crime will launch National Crime Victims’ Rights Week in Washington, DC, with its annual National Candle-light Observance Ceremony on April 15 and its Awards Ceremony, April 16 to honor extraordinary individuals and programs that provide services to victim of crime. 

            To honor crime victims, Jerry Benito, D.A., and the Crime Victim Assistance Center invite you to join us at Take Back the Night from 5-7pm, Wednesday April 28th at Redding City Hall.  Take Back the Night is hosted by Shasta Women’s Refuge, the District Attorney’s Crime Victim Assistance Center, and the Domestic Violence Coordinating Council.  For additional information about National Crime Victims Rights Week, and ideas on how to serve victims in your community, please contact:

 

Angela Fitzgerald/Program Director

Shasta Co DA Crime Victim Assistance Center

530-225-5220

AFitzgerald@co.shasta.ca.us