JEFFERSON CITY – Missouri crime victim survivors, victim advocates, prosecutors and law enforcement officers will observe National Crime Victims’ Rights Week with a ceremony today in the state capital. This year’s theme, “Listen. Act. Advocate. Protect victims, serve communities,” calls attention to the need to elevate victims’ voices to ensure their rights are upheld throughout the criminal justice process.
Governor Mike Kehoe has proclaimed April 19-25 as Crime Victims’ Rights Week in Missouri.
“Our administration has prioritized legislation and law enforcement efforts to fight crime and strengthen public safety because we know crime affects nearly every aspect of the lives of Missourians in communities across our state,” Governor Kehoe said. “We appreciate the brave victims and victim advocates who, for decades, have led efforts to ensure that victims’ rights are recognized, expanded, and taken into account at every stage of the criminal justice process.”
“Governor Kehoe’s and the Legislature’s reforms over the last two legislative sessions have increased prison sentences against sex traffickers, protected more children from abusers, cracked down on the street takeovers that endanger motorists and acted to protect Missourians from violent juvenile offenders,” Department of Public Safety Director Mark S. James said. “Our DPS team members are committed to creating efficiencies in our programs to support crime victims, so additional resources and information are available to them with faster turnarounds.”
DPS helps provide millions of dollars each year in direct support to victims through the Missouri Crime Victims’ Compensation Program and grants to fund victim advocates, domestic violence shelters and other essential services that help victims and their families move toward recovery and healing. 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. Academy topics include the roles of a crime victim advocate, cyberstalking and AI, Crime Victims’ Compensation, the juvenile justice process, brain injury screening, and working with domestic violence victims and more.
Thursday’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 in the Capitol Rotunda.