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Honoring National Crime Victims’ Rights Week

April 20, 2020

In commemoration of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW), the Utah Attorney General’s Office is raising awareness about crime victims’ rights and honoring the hard work of those committed to advocating for victims. This year’s theme, “Seek Justice | Ensure Victims’ Rights | Inspire Hope” celebrates the progress made by those before us as we look to a future of crime victim services that are even more inclusive, accessible, and trauma-informed.

According to the 2018 Bureau of Justice Statistics’ National Crime Victimization Survey, U.S. residents age 12 or older experienced 3.3 million violent victimizations and U.S. households experienced an estimated 13.5 million property crimes.

In previous years, NCVRW was kicked off by a candlelight vigil on the Utah State Capitol steps, where families and friends gathered to honor the lives of lost victims to crime, survivors shared their stories, and services and resources were shared. This year, the candlelight vigil has been postponed until Sunday. June 7th.

This week, there are several virtual events you can participate in to help show your support:

  • Uplift with a Message of Hope – Create a short video with an uplifting message of hope for victims of all crimes to remind them that they are not alone. Or, you can take a picture holding a sign saying, “I Stand for Victim’s Rights”.
  • #1BlueNail – For a simple and fun way to show your support, paint your ring fingernail blue to show your support as we all stand for victims’ rights. Take a picture or video and tag it with #1BlueNail and #NCVRW.
  • Tune in to Their Stories – The Utah Survivors Podcast will have episodes dedicated to NCVRW as they share victims’ and survivors’ stories, discuss victims’ rights, and share resources. Tune into their podcast here or on Spotify
  • Spot the Bus – Take a walk during the day and try to spot the 2020 NCVRW banners on the back of busses in the Wasatch Front starting April 1st to April 28th. Take a picture and tag it with #NCVRW2020.
  • Tag You’re It – Whether you participate in the events above or just want to show your support, tag your posts with the following tags:
    • #NCVRW2020
    • #NCVRW2020SeekJustice
    • #NCVRW2020EnsureVictimsRights
    • #NCVRW2020InspireHope

Stay tuned for more ways you can show support in the coming months. For additional information about this year’s NCVRW and how to assist victims in your community, please visit the NCVRW Facebook page.

View a list of national resources available to victims of crime with survivor assistance.

Watch Utah Attorney General Sean D. Reyes’ message for NCVRW below:

National Crime Victim’s Rights Week

In commemoration of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW), April 7–13, 2019, the Utah NCVRW committee and supporting organizations will hold several events to raise awareness about crime victims’ rights and introduce the community to important resources and services.

According to the most recent Bureau of Justice Statistics’ National Crime Victimization Survey, U.S. residents age 12 or older experienced 3.1 million violent victimizations and U.S. households experienced an estimated 13.3 million property crimes in 2017.

This year’s theme – Honoring Our Past. Creating Hope for the Future. – encourages recognition, honor, and respect toward crime victim advocates, allied professionals, and selfless volunteers who have courageously worked for increased rights for crime victims. This year’s theme invites us to look toward a future of inclusive, accessible, and innovative resources and services for survivors.

The Utah NCVRW committee and supporting organizations lead communities throughout the state in their annual observances of NCVRW by promoting victims’ rights and issues and honoring crime victims and those who advocate on their behalf.

National Crime Victims’ Rights Week kicks off Saturday, April 6, 2019 with a Utah Grizzlies game. This event will be followed by a Candlelight Vigil, Sunday, April 7, located on the south steps of the Utah State Capitol. Survivors of crime will be highlighted and as well as those in our community that are advocating for expanded support and services to communities affected by crime. 

Below is a complete list of events and opportunities to support and advocate for those whose lives have been affected by crime:

  • Saturday, April 6: Come out for Utah Grizzlies Night at the Maverick Center to kick off our NCVRW. Game starts at 7:00 p.m. and tickets are $10 each.
  • Sunday, April 7: Join us for a Candlelight Vigil at the Utah State Capitol to honor the lives of lost victims.
  • Monday, April 8: The Utah Museum of Contemporary Arts will host a “Healing Through Art” night starting at 6:00 p.m.
  • Wednesday, April 10 – LGBTQ2S Night: The Sorenson Unity Center is showing a special screening of “Leitis in Waiting” – a feature documentary and short film about a group of transgender
    women rising to find their place in a South Pacific kingdom. Screening starts at 6:00 p.m. and is located at 1383 South 900 West in Salt Lake.
  • Wednesday, April 10: Children’s Justice Centers (CJC) will host a Multi-disciplinary Day statewide. Contact your local CJC for more information.
  • Saturday, April 13: Join us between 11:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. for a Fun and Festive Family Day with resources, cultural activities, music, and food trucks at Jordan Park – home of the International Peace Gardens.

All events, except the Utah Grizzlies game, are free and open to the public. For additional information about this year’s NCVRW and how to assist victims in your community, please visit the NCVRW Facebook page.

“For too long, the victims of crime have been the forgotten persons of our criminal justice system. Rarely do we give victims the help they need or the attention they deserve. Yet the protection of our citizens – to guard them from becoming victims – is the primary purpose of our penal laws. Thus, each new victim personally represents an instance in which our system has failed to prevent crime. Lack of concern for victims compounds that failure.”

President Ronald W. Reagan – April 1, 1981, on signing the Proclamation declaring the First National Crime Victims’ Rights Week

Utah NCVRW works with the following organizations throughout the state:
Utah Museum of Contemporary Art; Peace House; PIK2R; Utah Pride Center; Salt Lake City Mayor’s Office; Salt Lake City Police Department; Restoring Ancestral Winds; Duchesne, Tooele, Wasatch, Uintah/Daggett, Carbon/Emery, Weber/Morgan, and Utah County- Children’s Justice Centers; Una Mano Amiga; Centro Civico Mexicano; Circle the Wagons; Creative Healing 4 Survivors; Utah Organ Donors; Sego Lily Center for the Abused Deaf; Mexican Consulate; and Sorenson Unity Center Health Choice of Utah.

AG Sean Reyes Statement on National Crime Victims’ Rights Week

SALT LAKE CITY April 5, 2017 – Today, Attorney General Sean Reyes released the below statement on National Crime Victims’ Rights Week.

“Sadly, there are individuals and communities in our state impacted every day by the devastating effects of crime. Protecting Utahns from criminal conduct in all its many forms has always been a top priority for the Utah Attorney General’s Office. We are equally committed to stopping crime whether it be child abuse, white-collar crime, identity theft, human trafficking, Internet predation or more.

“A significant but often unheralded part of our crime fighting effort is assuring that victims know their rights and what services are available to them. As their rights are promoted and protected, victims are empowered to recover. In doing so, they can re-take control of their lives and their future, promoting healing and strength.  Survivors who are provided support and understanding will often feel safe enough to talk about their victimization. They are more also likely to seek needed services, and participate in the criminal justice process.

“The AG Office multidisciplinary response model, involving collaboration among victim service professionals, prosecutors and law enforcement, medical and mental health providers, and community organizations is essential to reach and serve all victims—including high-risk populations and minorities. Every year, the AG Office is proud to work with, protect, educate and support victims across our state.

“This week, as we recognize National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, we renew our commitment to a victim service and criminal justice response model that assists all victims of crime. We express our sincere gratitude and appreciation to those community members, victim service providers, and criminal justice professionals who work to improve our statewide response to all victims of crime so that they may find relevant assistance, support, justice, healing and peace.”

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