Submitted by Douglas R. Lloyd,
Eaton County Prosecuting Attorney

(Photo Provided)

 

National Crime Victims’ Rights Week is April 23 to April 29, 2023. This annual observance provides the opportunity to raise awareness and underscore the importance of helping crime survivors find their justice by enforcing victims’ rights, expand access to services and ensure equity and inclusion for all.
This year’s national theme is “Survivor Voices: Elevate, Engage, Effect Change,” The observance provides an opportunity for communities to amplify the voices of survivors and create environments where survivors have the confidence that they will be heard, believed and supported. Since 1981, National Crime Victims’ Rights Week has challenged the Nation to confront and remove barriers to achieve justice for all victims of crime. We celebrate these accomplishments of the victims’ rights movement and reflect on how far we have come by remembering crime victims and survivors.
The Eaton County Prosecutor’s Office would like to express our sincere gratitude and appreciation for those community members, victim service providers and criminal justice professionals who are advocating for expanded support and services to communities affected by crime. They are committed to improving our response to all victims of crime so that they may find relevant assistance, support, justice and peace. We are fortunate to have SIREN/Eaton Shelter, located in Charlotte, providing support for the victims of Eaton County.
A Candlelight Vigil honoring Crime Victims’ Rights Week will be held at the State Capitol in the new Capitol Heritage room on Wednesday, April 19, at 6 p.m. it is open to the public, and I invite you to attend. This is a solemn event, which my staff supports and attends. It is another chance to honor past victims from across the state, as well as to inspire everyone in the criminal justice system – from legislators to law enforcement, and from prosecutors and victim advocates to judges – to make victim rights a practice, not merely a slogan.
Together we can make a difference!