National Crime Victims’ Rights Week focuses on promoting victims’ rights
NORWICH – This week marks the annual National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, a week focused on promoting victims’ rights while also honoring the victims of various crimes, and paying tribute to the individuals and different agencies that advocate on their behalf.
In recognition of Crime Victim’s Rights Week, several local organizations are pulling together for a series of events that heighten awareness of the resources available to crime victims in Chenango County. On Monday, the week kicked-off with a special press conference on the steps of the Chenango County Courthouse. The gathering included several guest speakers who touted the rights of crime victims and applauded the people whose mission it is to lend a helping hand.
“Only 30 years ago, crime victims had no rights, access to crime victim compensation, or services to help rebuild their lives,” said Chenango County District Attorney Joseph McBride, one of the speakers during the event. “Yet through decades of advocacy and hard work, I am pleased to say that much progress has been made. Today, all states have enacted crime victims’ rights laws and established compensation funds.”
McBride went on to say that more than 10,000 victim service agencies have been established nationwide, including the local Crime Victims Program, operated through Catholic Charities of Chenango County in Norwich.
According to the McBride, someone is sexually assaulted every two minutes in the United States, and more than half of those instances go unreported. Thousands of women and children are served in shelters nationwide every day. Moreover, approximately 15.5 million children are exposed to domestic violence each year; and each day, four children die as a result of abuse or neglect.
“This week, we are recognizing the importance of ensuring that victims are served and that their voice is considered throughout the process,” said Daniel Auwarter, crime victims program director at Catholic Charities of Chenango County. “It is an important week for us as victim service provider ... it’s also important to recognize our relationship with the police and the prosecutor to ensure the course of criminal justice is fair.”
Several other events are planned throughout the week, beginning today with a National Crime Victims’ Rights Week educational conference at SUNY Morrisville Norwich campus, held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. This workshop provides crime victim information to the public, with keynote speaker Samantha Wackford, and an overview of the Crime Victims Program, the NYS Victim Bill of Rights, the criminal and civil justice systems, and the legal challenges crime victims face.
Tonight, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Norwich High School auditorium, the Crime Victims Program of Chenango County will present and sponsor “Voices of Men,” a multi-media play that addresses criminal issues such as sexual assault, date rape, dating violence and domestic violence, sexual harassment, and objectification. The event is free and open to the public.
Special events continue Wednesday when the Crime Victims Program hosts the first ever Community Awareness and Recognition Breakfast from 8 to 10 a.m. at the Canasawacta Country Club. The occasion - open to the public, with space still available - will also commemorate local advocates of crime victims’ rights. Those honored include: former Chenango County Judge Howard Sullivan; Dr. Peter Gordon, emergency services director at UHS Chenango Memorial Hospital; and Nadene Casse, pediatric sexual assault nurse examiner at Tri-Town Regional Hospital.
Thursday is “Lunch and Learn” in East Park. The event will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and feature several local agencies providing information and help available to crime victims. Other happenings include crime victims rights trivia, music, and networking opportunities with several crime victims rights agencies.
The week closes out Friday with a special open house at the Chenango County Child Advocacy Center, located at 8 Silver St. in Norwich, from noon to 2 p.m. Different crime victims agencies and professionals will be on hand to answer questions and provide information.
For additional information about the events of Crime Victims’ Rights Week, visit the Catholic Charities of Chenango County website, ccofcc.com, or call the Child Advocacy Center at 334-KIDS (5437).
In recognition of Crime Victim’s Rights Week, several local organizations are pulling together for a series of events that heighten awareness of the resources available to crime victims in Chenango County. On Monday, the week kicked-off with a special press conference on the steps of the Chenango County Courthouse. The gathering included several guest speakers who touted the rights of crime victims and applauded the people whose mission it is to lend a helping hand.
“Only 30 years ago, crime victims had no rights, access to crime victim compensation, or services to help rebuild their lives,” said Chenango County District Attorney Joseph McBride, one of the speakers during the event. “Yet through decades of advocacy and hard work, I am pleased to say that much progress has been made. Today, all states have enacted crime victims’ rights laws and established compensation funds.”
McBride went on to say that more than 10,000 victim service agencies have been established nationwide, including the local Crime Victims Program, operated through Catholic Charities of Chenango County in Norwich.
According to the McBride, someone is sexually assaulted every two minutes in the United States, and more than half of those instances go unreported. Thousands of women and children are served in shelters nationwide every day. Moreover, approximately 15.5 million children are exposed to domestic violence each year; and each day, four children die as a result of abuse or neglect.
“This week, we are recognizing the importance of ensuring that victims are served and that their voice is considered throughout the process,” said Daniel Auwarter, crime victims program director at Catholic Charities of Chenango County. “It is an important week for us as victim service provider ... it’s also important to recognize our relationship with the police and the prosecutor to ensure the course of criminal justice is fair.”
Several other events are planned throughout the week, beginning today with a National Crime Victims’ Rights Week educational conference at SUNY Morrisville Norwich campus, held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. This workshop provides crime victim information to the public, with keynote speaker Samantha Wackford, and an overview of the Crime Victims Program, the NYS Victim Bill of Rights, the criminal and civil justice systems, and the legal challenges crime victims face.
Tonight, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Norwich High School auditorium, the Crime Victims Program of Chenango County will present and sponsor “Voices of Men,” a multi-media play that addresses criminal issues such as sexual assault, date rape, dating violence and domestic violence, sexual harassment, and objectification. The event is free and open to the public.
Special events continue Wednesday when the Crime Victims Program hosts the first ever Community Awareness and Recognition Breakfast from 8 to 10 a.m. at the Canasawacta Country Club. The occasion - open to the public, with space still available - will also commemorate local advocates of crime victims’ rights. Those honored include: former Chenango County Judge Howard Sullivan; Dr. Peter Gordon, emergency services director at UHS Chenango Memorial Hospital; and Nadene Casse, pediatric sexual assault nurse examiner at Tri-Town Regional Hospital.
Thursday is “Lunch and Learn” in East Park. The event will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and feature several local agencies providing information and help available to crime victims. Other happenings include crime victims rights trivia, music, and networking opportunities with several crime victims rights agencies.
The week closes out Friday with a special open house at the Chenango County Child Advocacy Center, located at 8 Silver St. in Norwich, from noon to 2 p.m. Different crime victims agencies and professionals will be on hand to answer questions and provide information.
For additional information about the events of Crime Victims’ Rights Week, visit the Catholic Charities of Chenango County website, ccofcc.com, or call the Child Advocacy Center at 334-KIDS (5437).
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