OP-ED: NATIONAL CRIME VICTIMS’ RIGHTS WEEK April 11, 2008 As we have since 1981, my office will join community groups and non-profit organizations in Massachusetts and across the nation from April 13 to 19 to observe National Crime Victims’ Rights Week. This week was designated not only to bring greater community awareness to the reality of victimization, but also to recognize victimized individuals and the professional advocates who work tirelessly on their behalf. Throughout this week, members of my office will be hosting and attending workshops and events in Boston, Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop. My office’s mission, after all, is to serve the needs of the people harmed by violent crime just as much as we prosecute the perpetrators of it. In the course of 20 years as a prosecutor, I found that all too often, the rights of victims had a tendency to be overlooked in the overall discussion of justice. Defendants have an absolute right to legal counsel and are made aware of their rights as they proceed through the criminal justice system. Survivors, on the other hand, may often feel that they have no such shepherd. In that sense, the legal process can be overwhelming and, at times, can feel like another form of victimization. In an effort to make victims and survivors more aware of their own rights under the law,, the Victim Witness Assistance Program in my office provides support for victims of crime and navigate them through the court process. These dedicated men and women work hard and are available at all hours of day and night to support victims and their families throughout what could otherwise be a very daunting experience. The resources my office provides to victims are just a part of the support network. The strength of community involvement is another. A crime to the person often results in feelings of fear and of isolation from one’s community. Family, friends, neighbors, and even clergy often report feeling ill-equipped to support victims within their communities, but they are often the very people that a person in pain or fear needs most. I firmly believe that when neighbors and community members come together, they are often able to change the climate of fear within their neighborhoods and, in doing so, strengthen themselves. That is why it is important to get involved and stay involved. Members of my staff participate in events throughout the year in the various communities in Suffolk County, and I’m always pleased to see community members there. Doing so can bring a sense of empowerment to the individuals and community groups who are sometimes in the best position to assist the healing process. Victims’ Right Week is a great time to start getting involved in your community and to become part of the support network for your neighbors, friends, or family members who have been victimized. It’s also a time to learn more about career opportunities as a victim witness advocate or other rewarding positions within the criminal justice system. For more information, or to request a free copy of my office’s Victim Witness Assistance Program Resource Manual, please contact us at 617-619-4000 or email comment@suf.state.ma.us. Return to the Press Releases page.