Victims Rights’ Week activities announced

VW independent/submitted information

A number of local activities are being planned in conjunction with the observance of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, April 10-16.

This year’s National Crime Victims’ Rights Week will have the theme: “Serving Victims. Building Trust. Restoring Hope.” The theme highlight’s the importance of providing needed services at the earliest stage of victimization.

Van Wert Mayor Jerry Mazur signs a proclamation designating April 10-16 Crime Victims' Rights Week in the city of Van Wert. Looking on are (from the left) Kathy Taylor of Crisis Care, Christine Eversole of Crime Victims Inc., and Jody Wannemacher and Jamie Evans from the YWCA's domestic violence program. (Dave Mosier/Van Wert independent) — Van Wert Mayor Jerry Mazur signs a proclamation designating April 10-16 Crime Victims’ Rights Week in the city of Van Wert. Looking on are (from the left) Kathy Taylor of Crisis Care, Christine Eversole of Crime Victims Inc., and Jody Wannemacher and Jamie Evans from the YWCA’s domestic violence program. *(Dave Mosier/Van Wert independent)*

“Early intervention helps prevent both further victimization and involvement in the criminal justice system, thus addressing the cycle of violence and restoring hope for the future,” said Kathy Taylor, board member for the local Crisis Care organization.

Van Wert County will observe National Crime Victims’ Rights Week with several special events, including a self-defense class at the YWCA on Monday, a community forum for Teen Dating Violence Prevention at the First Federal Lecture Hall of the Niswonger Performing Arts Center of Northwest Ohio on Tuesday, a presentation on identity theft and financial scams at the Van Wert County Council on Aging on Wednesday, and a community event feature free services available in the county at First United Methodist Church that will also include a testimonial from a victim of a local crime in which another person was murdered, followed by a candlelight tribute to all victims of crime at the YMCA.

The bipartisan Victims of Crime Act, passed by Congress in 1984, created a national fund to ease victims’ suffering. Finances by fines and penalties paid by offenders, the Crime Victims Fund supports services for victims of all types of crime, including assistance for attempted murder survivors, survivors of child sexual abuse, and victims of human trafficking, as well as rape crisis centers and domestic violence programs, among others.

The fund also provides money for victim compensation programs that pay victims’ out-of-pocket expenses for such items as counseling, funeral expenses, and lost wages.

Locally, such services are provided by Crime Victims Services (419.238.9800), Crisis Care (419.238.HELP) and the YWCA (567.259.9501). Each agency not only receives federal funding, but also local support from the United Way of Van Wert County and the Van Wert County Foundation.

POSTED: 04/08/16 at 8:10 am. FILED UNDER: News