Prosecutor Knapp Announces Ceremony to Commemorate National Crime Victims' Rights Week
Published on March 28, 2017
Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp announces that the Morris County Prosecutor's Office will recognize the 2017 National Crime Victims' Rights Week, from April 2nd through April 8th, with a Recognition and Remembrance Ceremony. The ceremony, honoring victims and advocates of victims' rights, will take place on Monday, April 3, 2017, from 12:30 pm to 2:00 pm, in the Board of Chosen Freeholders' Public Meeting Room, 5th Floor, in the Morris County Administration & Records Building, 10 Court Street, Morristown, New Jersey.
Morris County Administrator John Bonanni will lead attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance preceding the ceremony.
The Honored Guest Speaker is New Jersey State Assemblyman Anthony M. Bucco of Legislative District # 25, serving sections of Morris and Somerset Counties.
The Morris County Prosecutor's Office is honored to have New Jersey Lieutenant Governor Kim Guadagno as the Keynote Speaker during the ceremony.
The theme of National Crime Victims' Rights Week for 2017 is €˜strength, resilience, and justice', embracing the vision of the future in which all victims are strengthened by the response they receive, organizations are resilient in the face of challenges, and communities are able to seek collective justice and healing. This weeklong commemoration promotes victims' rights and honors crime victims.
Since 1981, National Crime Victims' Rights Week has been celebrated every year in April. It is a time of national remembrance and is dedicated to learn about victimization, the effect victimization has on individuals, families, friends and the community, and to promote laws, policies, and programs to help victims of crime. Prior to the modern Crime Victims' Rights movement, crime victims did not have statutory rights, access to crime victim compensation, nor services to help rebuild their lives. They were often excluded from courtrooms, treated as an afterthought by the criminal justice system, and denied an opportunity to speak at sentencing. Today, all states have enacted crime victims' rights laws and established crime victims' compensation funds.
Prosecutor Knapp said, Victims of crime rightfully deserve due attention from our trained professionals as they navigate through the criminal justice system, and dedicated members of the Morris County Prosecutor's Office's Victim Witness Unit play an integral role during this process. With unwavering compassion, they serve as true advocates in addressing all crime victims' needs in Morris County.
All are invited to join the Morris County Prosecutor's Office at the ceremony. For more information or to RSVP, contact the Morris County Prosecutor's Office Victim Witness Unit at 973-285-6210 or e-mail MorrisVW@co.morris.nj.us.