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 10^{th 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/