YWCA plans Crime Victims Week events

YWCA of Van Wert County news

Only 30 years ago, crime victims had no rights, access to crime victim compensation, or services to help them rebuild their lives. They were often excluded from courtrooms, treated as an after thought by the criminal justice system, and denied an opportunity to speak at sentencing.

Yet through decades of advocacy and hard work, we have come a long way. Today, all states have enacted crime victims’ rights laws and established crime victim compensation funds. More than 10,000 victim service agencies help victims throughout the nation. Every year, states and localities receive millions of federal dollars to support these services.

“National Crime Victims’ Rights Week” reminds Americans that many challenges remain. Crime Victims’ rights are not universal and are often not enforced. Only a small percentage of victims receive crime victim compensation, which is usually limited to victims of violent crime.

According to last year’s National Crime Victimization Survey, more than 50 percent of violent crimes were not reported to police in 2006-2010. In addition, a 2011 report called the Use of Victim Services Agencies by Victims of Serious Violent Crime showed that only 9 percent of violent crime victims received needed services in the 1993-2009 timeframe.

National Crime Victims’ Rights Week will be held April 21-27 in communities throughout the nation. The local YWCA will be sponsoring several special events and programs, including a visual awareness display placed in front of the YWCA through the entire week and advertisements encouraging awareness of a variety of crime victims.

Those events include the following:

• A free adult self-defense class open to members of the community will be held April 24 at the YWCA.
• A free educational lunch will be held April 25 at the YWCA, starting at 11:45 a.m., to help spread awareness of National Crime Victims Rights Week. At this event, Christine Eversole, director of Crime Victim Services of Van Wert, will provide victim facts and statistics for Van Wert County and educate those attending the luncheon on ways to protect themselves. She will also provide information on things the general public can do to alleviate the chances of becoming victims. YWCA Housing Program Director Jamie Evans will also share information on the YWCA’s new domestic violence services.
• A free children’s self-defense class will be held April 27 at the YWCA.

At all events, the YWCa will distribute orange support wristbands that show support for victims.

Along with focusing on awareness, the YWCA staff wants to also show support for those who have been victimized, as well as show there is a caring network around them.