National Crime Victims' Rights Week is an annual commemoration in the
United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territorie ...
that promotes victims' rights and services. The week is marked by an award ceremony held in
Washington, D.C.
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, in which individuals and organizations that demonstrate outstanding service in supporting victims and victim services are recognized. The exact date of the observance varies year to year, but it is always in the month of April.
The first Crime Victims Week (later renamed National Crime Victims' Rights Week) was established by
Ronald Reagan
Ronald Wilson Reagan ( ; February 6, 1911June 5, 2004) was an American politician, actor, and union leader who served as the 40th president of the United States from 1981 to 1989. He also served as the 33rd governor of California from 1967 ...
in 1981 as a part of an expanding initiative to provide for victims of crimes (later manifested i
Executive Order 12360 signed in 1982, which established the
President's Task Force on Victims of Crime). The
Office for Victims of Crime
The Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) is a part of the Office of Justice Programs, within the U.S. Department of Justice.
The OVC's mission is to provide aid and promote justice for crime victims.
The office was created in 1988 in an amendment t ...
(OVC) leads the nation in the observance of National Crime Victims' Rights Week. Communities across the nation sponsor local events to mark the week and raise awareness about victims' rights and services.
External links
Office for Victims of Crime's National Crime Victims' Rights Week observance website
Crime in the United States
Awareness weeks in the United States
April observances
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