National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW) takes place this week, April 18-24, 2021. This year marks the 40th Anniversary of this special week, following President Reagan’s proclamation establishing the first NCVRW in 1981. Each year, this special week reminds us of how important it is to acknowledge victims’ rights across our country, and especially in Michigan. Our state respects and protects crime victims’ rights at the very highest level. In 1985, we enacted the first part of the William Van Regenmorter crime victim’s rights act. We added significant additional crime victims’ protections in 1988, and have continued to amend and update the act through 2020. In 1988, we approved an amendment to our State of Michigan Constitution, by approving Art. 1, Sec. 24. The State of Michigan Constitution is our highest level of state law, which serves as a reminder of how important crime victims’ rights are in our state.
The theme of NCVRW this year is: “Support Victims. Build Trust. Engage Communities.” It is important to this office to consider these six words.
“Support Victims”
This can take the form of our victim advocate or a prosecutor from this office taking a few moments to listen to the concerns of a scared or angry victim. It could be taking time to explain the court process to a victim who never asked to be a participant in the criminal justice system. It could be exploring ways to help a victim recover restitution or seek crime victim compensation. We can and should always take the time necessary to help those who victims and survivors who need our assistance.
“Build Trust”
Building trust may take time, may require a level empathy between people, and often is a process and not an immediate result. The importance of building trust between the people of our community and the work we do cannot be overstated. As prosecutors, we have been empowered to act in the name of “the people.” This is a mighty responsibility. And we owe “the people” who have entrusted us to act in their name this duty of building trust.
“Engage Communities”
“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’” Dr. Martin Luther King. This question leads us to the realization that we must engage each other and in so doing, engage our communities. By engaging with all parts of our communities, we demonstrate that all persons have value and can enhance our community. We should not and cannot think of our work as prosecutors in a vacuum. We must engage with our community!
Join with us this week, April 18-24, 2021 as we recognize National Crime Victims’ Rights Week. We take this week to give heightened focus and attention to crime victims’ rights, the needs of crime victims and survivors, and the many professionals around this state who support victims and survivors. This one week will serve as a guide for our actions throughout the year.
To learn about the important landmarks in Victims’ Rights and Services, check out this Resource Guide.
PSA Video
The Huron County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office gratefully acknowledges the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Office for Victims of Crime, for allowing us to reproduce, the 2021 National Crime Victims’ Rights Theme Video. This video was prepared by the Office for Victims of Crime.
