OKEECHOBEE – April 23-29 is National Crime Victims’ Rights Week in Okeechobee County. At the April 27 Okeechobee County Commission meeting, Sheriff Noel Stephen requested the board issue the designation.

County Administrator Deborah Manzo said since 1981, National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW) has challenged the nation to confront and remove barriers to full justice for all victims of crime. Each year, communities across the country revisit the history of the victims’ rights movement and recommit themselves to advancing the progress already achieved.

National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW) is an opportunity to highlight challenges faced by crime victims and emphasize the ongoing struggle to establish victims’ rights. Meeting victims where they are takes resources, dedication, and persistence to establish a welcoming, compassionate, and supportive environment for all victims to share their stories. Creating public awareness for National Crime Victim’s Rights Week (NCVRW) allows us to engage local members, local organizations, and the public in the important work of providing crime victims in the community with the support they need to recover on their terms.

“Being a victim of crime and navigating the criminal justice system can be a frightening and confusing experience; and progress in improving the treatment of crime victims has been made through the efforts of thousands of victims and survivors who have turned their own experiences into a force for positive change, ensuring that others can receive justice, meaningful assistance, and compassionate treatment before the law,” the proclamation states.

“Since the passage of the Victims of Crime Act of 1984, and through the dedicated work of advocates, lawmakers, and victim service providers, there is a growing array of
services and resources available to victims and their loved ones.

“Honoring the rights of victims-including the rights to be heard and to be treated with fairness, dignity, and respect-and working to meet their needs rebuilds their trust in the
criminal justice and social service systems,” the proclamation continues.

“Continued engagement with the challenges faced by victims of crime will ensure that the progress made to date is not lost, and that new ground is broken to gain greater justice and healing for all victims; and National Crime Victims’ Rights Week provides an opportunity to recommit to ensuring that accessible, appropriate, and trauma-informed
services are offered to all victims of crime.”