JEFFERSON CITY – On Tuesday, April 8, Governor Mike Kehoe will join Missouri crime victim survivors, crime victim advocates, prosecutors and law enforcement officers in the Capitol Rotunda to mark National Crime Victims’ Rights Week. This year’s theme, “Kinship, Connections and Healing,” calls attention to the vital connections that are built through crime survivors and the criminal justice system connecting all survivors to services, rights, and healing resources.
Governor Kehoe has proclaimed April 6-13 as Crime Victims’ Rights Week in Missouri.
“From day one, our administration has prioritized public safety and working to building stronger relationships between our Missouri communities and law enforcement,” Governor Kehoe said. “We’re working to make it easier to be a cop than to be a criminal – which would also mean fewer victims and families who experience the physical and emotional pain and hardships as a result of crime. It’s essential that we stand with crime victims and give credit to those that advocate for greater support for victims.”
“The Department of Public Safety is much more than a law enforcement and emergency management agency,” Department of Public Safety Director Mark S. James said. “Our team helps provide millions of dollars each year in direct support to victims through our Crime Victims’ Compensation Program and grants to fund victim advocates, domestic violence shelters and other essential services that help victims and their families move forward toward recovery and healing. We’re grateful for all the survivors dedicated to helping us in this mission along with our local and state criminal justice and nonprofit partners.”
Among the DPS Office for Victims of Crime’s responsibilities are administering Missouri’s Crime Victims’ Compensation Program, the Sexual Assault and Child Physical Abuse Forensic Examination programs, the Missouri Victim Automated Notification System (MOVANS) and the Pretrial Witness Protection Services Fund. Additional information on these and other OVC programs can be found here.
This week, 60 victim advocates from across the state are attending the annual Missouri Victims Services Academy in Jefferson City, which is hosted by the Department of Public Safety and Missouri Association of Prosecuting Attorneys. Subjects include human trafficking, expanding elder and disabled abuse-multi-disciplinary teams, navigating the protection order process and community supervision in cases of domestic violence.
Tuesday’s Crime Victims’ Rights Program is hosted by the DPS Office for Victims of Crime and includes displays, information and representatives of victim service organizations. It will be held at noon on the south steps of the Capitol.