County commissioners voice support for victims' rights
Putnam County Commissioners Kristina Warren, Gene Beck and Jim Baird signed a document presented by Putnam County Prosecutor Tim Bookwalter proclaiming April 13-19 as National Crime Victims' Rights Week.
By signing the proclamation commissioners reaffirm the county's commitment to respect and enforce victims' rights and address their needs during Crime Victims' Rights Week and throughout the year.
It is a written expression of appreciation to those victims and crime survivors who have turned personal tragedy into a motivating force to improve the response to victims of crime and to help build a more just community.
According to the Proclamation, 23 million Americans are the victims of crime each week, and of those, 5.2 million are victims of violent crime.
The Putnam County Prosecutor's Office has joined forces with victim service programs, criminal justice officials and concerned citizens throughout the county and the country to help raise awareness about victim's rights.
The Proclamation claims, "we must do better to ensure services are available for underserved segments of the population, including crime victims with disabilities and mental illness as well as those who are elderly, teenagers, live in rural areas or in communities of color."
"America recognizes that we make our homes, neighborhoods and communities safer and stronger by serving victims of crime," it continues.
National Crime Victims' Rights Week provides an opportunity to strive to reach the goal of justice for all by ensuring all victims are given their legal rights and are given financial, physical and psychological help as they face the impact of crime.