Beginning in 1981, National Crime Victims’ Rights Week was established to provide an opportunity to raise awareness of victims rights. This year National Crime Victims Week will be commemorated the week of April 21st – April 27th, 2024. District Attorney Keith Higgins and the employees of the Victim-Witness Assistance Program encourage our communities to embrace this year’s theme: OPTIONS, SERVICES AND HOPE FOR CRIME SURVIVORS. HOW WOULD YOU HELP?
The 2024 theme asks all of us—friends, family members, neighbors, colleagues, community leaders, victim service providers, criminal justice practitioners, and health professionals—how we can help crime victims. Are you prepared if someone confides in you about a victimization? Is your organization victim-centered and trauma-informed? Are you familiar with the services available in your community?
Originally established by President Ronald Reagan, the project has grown to teach the community about the effects of victimization and the need for services for those who are affected. At the time of the first Crime Victims Rights’ week, most states did not have formalized legal rights for victims. Services were scant and mostly word of mouth. Victims were not informed of court proceedings and were largely left out of the criminal justice process. The Crime Victims Bill of Rights and later, Marsy’s Law, have better defined and legalized the rights of those victimized by crime.
The Brunswick Judicial Circuit will have a Memorial Wall at each Courthouse in the Circuit on display the entire week. Families and Friends are encouraged to drop by and write in the guestbook that will be on display along with photos of loved ones lost. Each county will also have a program that can be attended by community members, families and friends.
The Camden County program will be held Monday, April 22nd from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm at the Camden County Courthouse, located at 210 E. 4th Street, Woodbine, Georgia.
The Jeff Davis County program will be held Tuesday, April 23rd from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm at the Jeff Davis County Courthouse located at 14 Jeff Davis Street, Hazlehurst, Georgia.
The Appling County program will be held Wednesday, April 24th from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm at the Appling County Public Safety Complex located at 560 Barnes Street, Baxley, Georgia.
The Wayne County program will be held Thursday, April 25th from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm at the Wayne County Courthouse located at 145 North Brunswick Street, Jesup, Georgia.
The Glynn County program will be held Friday, April 26th from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm at the Glynn County Courthouse located at 701 H Street, Brunswick, Georgia.
Please come out and join us for these very special ceremonies.
