The Courier-J ournal 04/22/2013 Copy Reduced to %d%% from original to fit letter page Page : A008
COMMUNITY CHALLENGE
Crime victims
deserve support
ime in ty. The commis
ferlea ht dug, santa tle
we story of
avadatine o, Sapp
ieieten rah
faleead wccuy catsues
tives” Louisville fests
eighbor ao esnatine
mag SR eulntve
Seletrase “Oy EOP cabger and
whole. Crime 'M1SS* system improve-
threatens our individ- ments to help victims
Galand collective Tam proud tobe the
Sense of safety and first Board member
Security, andcreates a appointed specifica
Seuscofindignity torepreseat crime
through the realization victims.
That any" But Crime Vietims’
offs, at Rights Week reminds
fnytime, usthere are still many
eanbe challenges to ensuring
Wictim- that erime victims are
bredby treated with respect,
crime. recognized within our
‘April Systems of justice, an
227i afforded servic
‘National help them in the after.
sath of crime. There
are sil erime victims
‘Whoare not informed
of their rights, or who
fare not engaged as
dctive participants in
the justice system:
‘There are sill erime
lenges us tohelp make unaware ofthe sup:
our community aplace port services
for alleitizens tobe provide help, hope and
Uuponthe many ae-_arestillerime victims
complishments that who suffer physical
hhavemade victims’ emotional and finan:
Fightsand services a lal losses.
“Justice isnt served
wunilallerime vietims
fafetreated with dignt
ty and compassion.
‘lustice isn't served
when most erimevie- uni allerime vietims
tims were virtually areinformed of thelr
lunseen. Only 30 years Tights throughout the
ago crime vietims had
almost no rights, ac
fess to erime victim
compensation or ser-
‘ices to help rebuild
their lives. Phey were
fften excluded from eds.
ourtrooms, treated as Justice isnt served
anafterthought by the until all crime victims
riminal justice sys- canbe assured tha
Today, through dee- held accountable for
ades of advocacy and thet
hard work, ournation "Justice isn’t served
unl we al realize that
tous through their
‘tragedy and pain. How
an vou respond
‘vara more sbout
agencies that serve
Widerangeoferime rime victims and how
Victim services that they provide assis-
Idress victims needs tance tothe communt-
forinformation,pro- ty
fection, counselingand ”'» Volunteer your
Kelpinexercising time andior challenge
thelr rights through- your faithoreivie
fut the criminal jus” group to “adopt” an
tice system rganization to assist
Victim assistance "Donate to any of
has grownto include these organizations.
grams tht bel Write your Legis
ietims of homicide, latorsasking thems to
Sexual assault, domes- fully fundthe crime
te violence, stalking, victim compensation
Tund and to support
vietim-related legisla
that our community is
‘leader inthis arena. let us remember that
‘The Louisville Met- by helping victims of
efime, we help make
four neighborhoods,
fommunities and na-
tion Stronger and sa:
bby serving erime
victims, we are trl
Serving justice for al.
ICV CLEE
oard Member
education and system- Louie Mevo Criminal,
‘wide coordination of ‘utes Commasion
programs and initia- Fer, Ky 40023
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