All of us in law enforcement know too well the tremendous difficulties crime victims and their families face as they work to overcome senseless acts of violence. That is why we are particularly sensitive to the importance and significance of the annual observance of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week. Every April since 1981, crime victims, survivors, and those who serve them join together to commemorate and honor the individuals and the ideals that inspired the victims' rights movement.

This year’s annual observance will be April 18-24, with the theme "Crime Victims' Rights: Fairness, Dignity, Respect" – reflecting the decades-long struggle to secure victims' rights in communities across the nation.

Chief among them are the right to access services that can help them rebuild their lives and the right to be notified if an offender is released from jail or prison.

As a nation, we have come a long way in recognizing and respecting the enormous physical, emotional and financial suffering endured by victims of crime. Attorney General Eric Holder put this in perspective in comments leading up to this year’s observance of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week: “In the not so distant past, victims were being routinely excluded from courtrooms and blamed for their victimization, realities that unfortunately still exist for far-too-many victims. Victims and advocates demanded fairness, dignity, and respect, and the time has come to acknowledge the progress made toward realizing these ideals. While there has been tremendous progress, challenges do remain.”

National Crime Victims’ Rights Week is a time to for our nation and our community to recommit to full rights and services for all victims and survivors of crime. By observing this important week, we all have an opportunity to join the fight for fairness, dignity and respect for all crime victims, survivors, and those who serve them.

More information on National Crime Victims’ Rights Week is available on the Web at ovc.ncjrs.gov/ncvrw/.