New Orleans Shows Its Support for Crime Victims:
Free Community Event Planned to Commemorate
National Crime Victims’ Rights Week

New Orleans, LA – On Saturday, April 19 from 1:30pm – 4:00 pm, area victim assistance providers will hold a free community event to commemorate National Crime Victims’ Rights Week.  It will be held on the Tulane University Uptown Campus in the Kendall-Cram room of the Lavin-Bernick Center.  The Center is located on McAlister Drive, one building in from Freret Street. It is the latest addition to Tulane’s campus and is mostly glass.

There will be free food, art displays, a children's art station, music by the SilenceIsViolence student music clinic, speakers, door prizes, agency information tables, and a presentation of Crime Victims' Rights Week awards.

This year’s theme is “Justice for Victims, Justice for All”.  The theme conveys the idea that there is no justice for anyone if we don’t seek greater fairness for victims of crime.

“Those who have suffered loss at the hands of a criminal have the right to protection, the right to be heard, and the right to information about the investigations we undertake – in short, the right to feel they are part of the process” said Robert S. Mueller, III, Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. 

FBI SAC Jim Bernazzani added “ Our system of Justice exists because crime impacts lives: individuals, families, and society as a whole.  After a crime, our first concern should be providing assistance to those victims adversely affected.  It's important for all of us in law enforcement to remember that these are not just cases, these are real people and their lives are affected by these acts.  No matter the outcome of the case, justice isn't served if victims are denied the rights and services that could assist them.   It is our responsibility to treat victims with respect, inform them of their rights, and assist them in accessing services to help rebuild their lives.”

Justice for victims has progressed dramatically since the 1980s.  All states and the federal government have comprehensive victims’ rights laws.  Every state has a victim compensation fund and thousands of victim service agencies help victims nationwide. 

Despite such impressive progress, however, our nation has a long way to go.  Even states with strong victims’ rights laws do not always honor these rights.  Jurisdictions may fail to notify victims about court proceedings or offender status, deny them the opportunity to be heard at sentencing, fail to issue or enforce orders of restitution, or fail to inform victims about compensation they are entitled to receive. 

“Injustice to victims weakens public safety, “said John W. Gillis, Director of the Office for Victims of Crime, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice.  “If victims are too discouraged to report crimes or serve as witnesses, our criminal justice system grinds to a halt.  Every American has a stake in victims’ rights.”

More information on victims’ rights and accessing local victim service providers will be available at the community event on Saturday April 19 th.

Other events celebrating National Crime Victims’ Rights Week are taking place around the city. 

The Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office will hold its annual Candlelight Ceremony on Thursday April 17 th from 2-4pm at their office, 1340 Poydras Street on the 21 st floor.

The United States Postal Inspection Office has a month long display in the main lobby of their building at 701 Loyola.

The community is urged to take part in National Crime Victims Rights Week to remember “Justice for Victims, Justice for All”.