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 territori ...

that promotes victims' rights and services. The week is marked by an award ceremony held in

Washington, D.C. ) , image_skyline = , image_caption = Clockwise from top left: the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall, United States Capitol, Logan Circle, Jefferson Memorial, White House, Adams Morgan, ...

, 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 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 ...

(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 {{US-stub