Sunday, April 10, 2011

National Crime Victims Rights Week


NATIONAL CRIME VICTIMS RIGHTS WEEK
The week of April 10 April 16, 2011 will commemorate National Crime Victims Rights’ Week.  Each year during this time, victim service providers, justice professionals and community advocates across the country come together to reflect upon milestones of the past year and rededicate their efforts towards the furtherance of victims’ rights.  Here in Maryland, statewide programs are held to honor lives that were lost to crime and to recognize others who have worked tirelessly demonstrating commitment to the cause. 

Throughout the week, the Maryland State Board of Victim Services will sponsor several events beginning on April 10th with the 22nd Annual Crime Victims Memorial Services, "Their Light Still Shines," which will be held this year in Baltimore, Carroll, Queen Anne’s and Saint Mary’s counties.
 More information on:                      http://www.goccp.maryland.gov/
 
Some interesting information On the history of  Crime Victim's Rights In America
1965
  • First Crime victim compensation program established in California (Maryland’s program created in 1972)
1981
  • President Ronald Reagan proclaims the First “Crime Victims’ Rights Week” in April

1982
  • President Reagan appoints the Task Force on Victims of Crime – Final Report offers 68 recommendations to improve the treatment of crime victims, including an amendment to the 6th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution to guarantee victims’ rights to be present & heard at critical stages of judicial proceedings
  • The Missing Children’s Act is passed by Congress to help find missing children through FBI National Crime Information Center (NCIC) computer system
1983


  • President Reagon honors crime victims in First White House Rose Garden ceremony





  • 1984
    • The Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) is passed; establishes the Crime Victims Fund from federal criminal fines & penalties to support state victim compensation; service programs
    • President Reagon signs Justice Assistance Act which establishes financial support assistance to state & local governments
    • The National Minimum Drinking Age Act is enacted
    • The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children is created
    1993
    • President Clinton signs the “Brady Bill” requiring a waiting period for handgun purchases
    • Congress passes the Child Sexual Abuse Registry Act, establishing a national repository for information about child sex offenders
    2004
    • U.S. Congress passed the strongest federal crime victims' legislation in nation's history after failure to approve a Federal Constitutional Amendment; H.R. 5107, The Justice For All Act of 2004, strengthens the rights of victims of federal crimes and provides enforcement and remedies when there is failure to comply; Title 1 is named in honor of five victims: Scott Campbell, Stephanie Roper, Wendy Preston, Louarna Gillis and Nila Lynn; H.R. 5107 also includes provisions for DNA analysis backlog
    • The Senate Judiciary Committee passes the Federal Victims’ Rights Constitutional Amendment: "But The House Fails to Take Action"
     For more on Crime Victims Rights:
    http://www.mdcromevictims.org/ 


    13 comments:

    Anonymous said...

    There were 4 statewide services today. "Something Beautiful Remains" was the theme. They were held in remembrance of crime victims and their families. The one for this region was held in Centreville.

    Anonymous said...

    What does the "Brady Bill" have to do with victim's rights?

    Anonymous said...

    8:50, Crime victim advocates as well as others were instumental in having the bill include the section requiring background checks thus the waiting period. Also many of the other provisions of the bill.

    Anonymous said...

    oh but theres no crime in our country or in our town. didn't you know?

    Anonymous said...

    Crime victim "advocates" may have done a lot of things but the fact remains that the "Brady Bill" does nothing for past crime victims and very little, if anything at all, for future victims. Do you honestly think Alexander Crippen, among many others, underwent a background check before obtaining his weapon? The "Brady Bill" is best characterized a purely "feel good" legislation.

    jmmb said...

    I think we can all be certain that Crippen didn't underfo a background check, along with many others. Neither did the two arrested in the carjacking the other day.

    And I agree with you about the "Brady Bill". I believe that was done during the Clinton days.

    My list only went to 2004 and I plan to find info on what has been done up to the current time.

    jmmb said...

    And just so you know. Those listed are just a few of the many things that have been done for victims over the years. They were just too numerous to list.

    If you will follow the link at the bottom of the post it will take to all of them. It really is worth the read.

    Anonymous said...

    http://www.dpscs.maryland.gov/publicinfo/other_docs/Open_Houses_Poster_small.pdf

    This event is this afternoon is Salisbury

    Anonymous said...

    Full web address didn't copy. I emailed you the link for the poster. You can delete the above comment and just post the poster.

    Anonymous said...

    The fact is 11:55, Crippen should have been locked up and in prison a long time ago. Thanks now to Beau Oglesby he will be. He was allowed to participate in the murder of Reginald Handy by our ineffective court system that allowed dangerous felons to walk the streets.

    Anonymous said...

    yeah, Beau will be sure to fix everything.

    Anonymous said...

    "Anonymous said...
    yeah, Beau will be sure to fix everything.

    12:36:00 AM"

    Maybe not EVERYTHING but by the looks of things he sure is fixing alot.

    Anonymous said...

    There's no crime and only a small drug problem in Pocomoke.

    So why do we even need 'Crime Victims Rights'?

    Or for that matter grants or funds to fund activities by the Police to work with area children.

    Afterall, there's no crime and only a small drug problem.