April 22-28, 2012 is National Crime Victims' Rights Week

April 22-18, 2012 is National Crime Victims’ Rights Week.  Every April since 1981, one week has been designated as National Crime Victims’ Rights Week.  This year’s theme is “Extending the Vision: Reaching Every Victim.”

It is necessary to take this opportunity to remember that every victim may not feel that he or she has rights.  This year’s campaign video focuses specifically on minors who are victims of sex trafficking,   LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay,Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning) youth,   migrant workers, and   victims of crimes using technology.  A person who is being told, by an offender or their culture, that no one will listen, no one will believe you, may not feel that he or she has rights. 

A 14 year old person who has run away from their home may not know that he or she can even report a crime, let alone receive free and confidential support.  He may be told that he cannot report a crime because he is a minor, or because he is engaging in sex work.  A migrant worker may come from a culture where the police cannot be trusted to provide protection, or they may not speak the same language as officers.  LGBTQ youth are disproportionally victimized by sexual abuse, including while incarcerated.  If the victim does report a crime, she may face prejudice when speaking to the police or the prosecutors.  They may be more concerned about her gender identity than the crime that was committed against her.  Crimes utilizing technology are becoming more prevalent as the technology becomes cheaper and more readily available.  Offenders can use technology to bully, harass, intimidate, and control their victims.  There is no longer an age group who is not affected by technology.  Its prevalence has been used as both a tool for victims and a tool for perpetrators.  Victim service agencies are making a concerted effort to be aware and knowledgeable of technology’s use in crime.

When someone is the victim of a crime, he or she has already suffered an injustice, we, as a society, and especially individuals working within the criminal justice system, need to ensure that victims are being protected.  We need to reach out to populations who are hesitant to participate in the system and encourage them to report if they are the victim of a crime.  Once the victim has reported the crime, we need to ensure that they are treated with dignity and respect and receive the information and support they need.

In Pennsylvania, crime victims have the following rights: 

You have the right to be told…

·    about basic services available to you in your county

·    about certain court events, including information on bail, escape of offender, release of an offender

·    about the details of the final disposition of a case

You have the right to receive…

·    notice of the arrest of the offender

·    information about restitution and assistance with compensation

·    accompaniment to all criminal proceedings by a family member, a victim advocate or a support person

You have the right to provide input…

·    into the sentencing decision and to receive help in preparing an oral and/or written victim impact statements

·    into post sentencing decisions

If you, or someone you know, is the victim of a crime, please encourage him to contact his local Crime Victims’ Center, such as Transitions, or get in contact with his county’s Victim/Witness Coordinator, usually found through the District Attorney’s Office.