The Dickinson County Prosecutor’s Office will not be hosting in-person activities this year to commemorate National Crime Victim’s Rights Week, which starts Sunday and extends through April 24.

“For the second year in a row, we’ve unfortunately had to suspend in-person activities due to the ongoing pandemic, but it’s still important that we recognize those in our community and elsewhere who have been affected by crime,” Prosecutor Lisa Richards said.

The faces of crime victims include those of our family, friends, neighbors and community members. According to the most recent survey conducted by the Bureau of Justice Statistics, about 1.2 million people were victims of violent crime in 2019, which is down from the year before. It remains to be seen what those numbers will look like for 2020, a year marked by personal and financial struggle for most Americans.

The Office for Victims of Crime, or OVC, leads communities throughout the country in annual observances of NCVRW by promoting victims’ rights and honoring those who advocate on their behalf. This year’s theme — “Support Victims. Build Trust. Engage Communities.” — celebrates the contributions that we all make toward building trust in our community’s capacity to support the healing journeys of crime victims.

“Here in Dickinson County, we are fortunate to have great community support for victims of crime. Although we honor crime victims and those who support them all year long, it’s important to give them special recognition during National Crime Victim’s Rights Week,” Richards said.

For additional information about this year’s NCVRW and how you can assist victims in your own community, go to the Office for Victims of Crime website at www.ovc.ojp.gov.