April 22, 2012, begins National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, a time to honor crime victims and our nation’s progress in advancing their rights. This year’s theme – “Extending the Vision: Reaching Every Victim” -- celebrates the vision behind that progress and the ideal of serving all victims of crime.

The vision that launched the victims’ rights movement emerged more than 30 years ago. Then -- as now -- crime victims endured physical and emotional wounds, costly financial burdens, an often hostile criminal justice system, and an alarming public tendency to blame them for the crimes against them.

Victims were often excluded from courtrooms, disrespected by officials, and afforded few rights. They began organizing to confront these challenges and to promote fair, compassionate, and respectful responses to victims of crime.

Since the 1980s, the nation has made dramatic progress in securing rights, protections, and services for victims of crime. Every state has enacted victims’ rights laws, and 32 states have constitutional victims’ rights amendments.

All states have victim compensation funds, and more than 10,000 victim service agencies have been established throughout the country. The Office for Victims of Crime, U.S. Department of Justice, supports a range of programs for crime victims, and seeks to extend those services to those who are underserved.

There is still so much to do. Victims’ rights are not universal and are often not enforced. Only a fraction of victims receive crime victim compensation, which is usually limited to victims of violent crime.

More than 50 percent of crimes are not reported, and fewer than 20 percent of victims receive needed services. The victim services system is fragmented and uncoordinated, and agencies across the nation are struggling to keep their doors open in the face of budget cuts. Yet victim advocates have not lost their resolve.

“Our commitment to ‘extend the vision’ and ‘reach every victim’ will overcome every challenge that confronts us now,” said Joye E. Frost, Acting Director, Office for Victims of Crime, U.S. Department of Justice. “The vision, determination, and passion for justice that inspired our history will help us transform the future for every victim of crime.”

As part of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, Renewal House, Canton Village Police and Catholic Charities will host a community education day on April 26 at the Best Western/University Inn in Canton, specifically for law enforcement.

The target audience is command level and first line supervisors. Bob Passonno, Coordinator of Criminal Justice Training Programs for NYS Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence will be the main presenter.

A special thanks to Northern New York Community Foundation and Daughters of Charity Charitable Purpose Fund for their support of this collaborative domestic violence community education program.

For additional information about National Crime Victims’ Rights Week and how to help victims in St. Lawrence County, please contact Renewal House at 379-9845, or visit www.slvrenewalhouse.org

Ilene J Burke, Executive Director Renewal House