FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 30, 2017


Capitol ceremony to honor crime victims and victim advocates for their strength and resilience in their efforts to make Missouri safer and work for justice

Crime Victims’ Rights Week highlights gains made in fight for Missouri crime victims and programs to assist victims and survivors

Gov. Eric Greitens has proclaimed April 2 to 8 as Crime Victims’ Rights Week in Missouri in honor of the continuing efforts of crime victims and victim advocates to make Missouri safer and support their neighbors. 

“Law enforcement cannot win the fight against crime alone, and throughout my almost four decades in public safety, I’ve seen just how important victims can be in the effort to create safer neighborhoods and support communities,” Department of Public Safety Director Drew Juden said. “The Missouri Department of Public Safety works to support crime victims through grants that support domestic violence shelters, counseling services, and victim advocates, along with direct support to victims to reimburse them for medical expenses, counseling, and lost wages through the Crime Victims’ Compensation Program.”

Missouri will observe National Crime Victims’ Rights Week on Monday, April 3, with a ceremony at the Capitol. This year's theme – Strength. Resilience. Justice. – reflects a vision for the future in which all victims are strengthened by the response they receive, organizations are resilient in response to challenges, and communities are able to seek collective justice and healing. The ceremony will honor the efforts of crime victims, survivors and victim advocates.

Monday, April 3

WHO:             Department of Public Safety Director Drew Juden

                        Missouri State Highway Patrol Col. Sandra Karsten

                        Missouri Association of Prosecuting Attorneys President-elect Mark Richardson

                        Victim Speaker Jane Fulhage

Missouri Office of Prosecution Services Director Jason Lamb                                            

WHAT:           Missouri Crime Victims’ Rights Week Ceremony

WHEN:           12 p.m.

WHERE:         Missouri Capitol Rotunda

                       Jefferson City, MO

The Department of Public Safety administers programs and grants for crime victims and agencies that assist them, including the Crime Victims’ Compensation Program, the Sexual Assault Forensic Examination (SAFE) Program, the Sexual Assault Services Program Grant and the Missouri Victim Automated Notification System (MOVANS).

MOVANS allows all Missourians to receive automated emails or phone calls any time an offender is scheduled to be released from prison or jail, or have a parole or court hearing. It also allows anyone to receive an automatic notification any time an order of protection has been served in their case. In the last five years, MOVANS has delivered almost 5 million automated phone calls, emails and letters about court dates and offender custody status.

The Missouri Crime Victims’ Compensation program helps pay violent crime victims’ out-of-pocket expenses, such as counseling, funeral expenses, and lost wages. In the last five years, it has awarded more than $24 million to more than 8,500 Missourians who were affected by violent crime. 

To learn more about Missouri CVC, MOVANS, and other Department of Public Safety programs to assist crime victims, go to the DPS website.

The following agencies donated their time and effort to make this year's Crime Victims' Rights Week ceremony and awareness events successes: Green Dot Program of Lincoln University, Missouri Attorney General's Office, Missouri Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, Missouri Department of Corrections, Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Missouri Department of Public Safety – Crime Victims' Compensation Program, Missouri Department of Public Safety – Crime Victim Services Unit, Missouri Department of Social Services – Division of Youth Services, Missouri KidsFirst, Missouri Office of Prosecution Services, Missouri Secretary of State's Office – Safe at Home Program, Missouri State Highway Patrol, Missouri Victim Assistance Network, and Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

 

 



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