JEFFERSON CITY – Governor Mike Parson has proclaimed April 24 to April 30 as Crime Victims’ Rights Week in Missouri, which coincides with National Crime Victims’ Rights Week. Missouri’s annual observation, hosted by the Missouri Department of Public Safety Office for Victims of Crime, includes displays, information and representatives of victim service organizations, and will be held at noon on April 28, 2022 on the south steps of the Capitol.
“Missouri crime victims and victim advocates have won new rights within the criminal justice system because of their strength and determination to make the criminal justice system more supportive of victims of crime,” Governor Parson said. “In Missouri, we’re working to further advance our support for crime victims and communities by directing millions of dollars in additional funding to support victim service agencies, law enforcement and prosecutors, and programs that deter crime in economically distressed areas. We will continue to stand up for victims and seek new solutions to combat and prevent crime.”
In addition to administering the Missouri Crime Victims’ Compensation Program and grant programs that provide millions of dollars to support crime victim advocates, domestic violence shelters and to investigate cyber criminals who target children, the Department of Public Safety has taken on three additional grant programs in the last year:
- A total of $1.8 million in grants was awarded in September 2021 through the Crimes Against Children/Sex Crimes Grant for hiring additional staff and other expenditures to investigate, prosecute and detect crimes against children.
- A total of $500,000 in grants was awarded in November 2021 to nonprofit agencies to help deter crime in economically distressed areas of Missouri.
- A total of $2.6 million in grants was awarded in April 2022 through a Victims of Crime Grant to support domestic violence service agencies, child advocacy centers, law enforcement and other service providers.
“Our entire Department of Public Safety team is committed to supporting crime victims, agencies that assist victims, and working to help reduce crime in Missouri,” Department of Public Safety Director Sandy Karsten said. “We regularly find inspiration for our work in the resilience and determination of crime victims and survivors we work with as they carry on in their fight for justice in their case.”
This year’s National Crime Victims’ Rights Week theme is “Rights, access, equity, for all victims.” The theme emphasizes the importance of helping crime survivors find justice by enforcing victims’ rights, expanding access to services, and ensuring equity and inclusion for all.