LAKE COUNTY — Lake County Board of Supervisors will issue a proclamation on Tuesday designating April 18 through 24 as National Crime Victims” Rights Week in Lake County.
Lake County District Attorney”s Office, Victim/Witness Division (VWD) will accept the proclamation.
The 2010 theme for the nationally recognized week is “Crime Victims” Rights: Fairness, Dignity, Respect.”
“This theme captures the principles that encouraged the victims” rights movement and made stronger strides to offer victim compensation and support services to those who have been a victim of a crime,” Deborah Wallace, VWD program administrator said. “For far too long victims have been excluded from courtrooms and blamed for their victimization, but now with the perseverance of victims and advocates demanding fairness, dignity and respect laws have changed to benefit the victim.”
Wallace said that the VWD serves approximately 1,500 victims of crime per year.
The division handles misdemeanor and felony cases in the areas of homicide, domestic violence, sexual assault and child molest, elder abuse, driving under the influence (DUI) causing injury and assault and batteries.
Wallace said the division also provides assistance in filing temporary restraining orders and in certain cases will help with home security improvements. It also handles all misdemeanor restitution and will assist with relocation if it is determined that the victim”s safety is at risk.
Other areas of service include crisis intervention, resource referrals, orientation to the criminal justice system, case status and disposition, court support, transportation, assistance in filing for services through the Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board; and funeral/burial assistance for family members of a homicide or fatal DUI crash.
“While there has been encouraging changes in victims; rights, there still remains some challenges. Those challenges are a new development in terrorist acts against our own population and an increase in child victimizations in our schools, in homes and on our streets,” Wallace said. “There is also an increase in failed notifications systems, releasing on bail violent offenders without our adult victims being notified. In these difficult times there has also been a decrease in funding for victim assistance programs throughout the nation.”
Wallace said the Lake County VWD is much more progressive and forward-thinking than most victim/witness offices throughout the state. “We are very proud to have the strong support of the District Attorney, Jon Hopkins and all of his staff to continue to provide the best services possible to all victims.”
More information regarding victims” services visit Web sites located at www.crimevictims.gov, www.ncvc.org, www.ovc.gov/ncvrw2010 or www.victimlaw.info. Lake County Victim/Witness Division can be reached at 262-4282.
