Release Date: Wednesday, April 14, 2010 11:20 a.m.
Commonwealth’s Attorney Harvey Bryant announces that the National Crime Victims’ Right’s Week Ceremony will be held April 19, 2010 at 3:00 pm at the Virginia Beach Municipal Court Yard. The week long observance begins on April 18, 2010 as declared by President Barack Obama. The purpose of the ceremony is to celebrate victims’ rights and encourage Americans to honor the fairness, dignity, and respect victims deserve.
Virginia Secretary of Public Safety Marla Graff Decker will serve as the guest speaker at the Crime Victims’ Right’s ceremony, following the Presentation of the Flags by the Virginia Beach Sheriff’s Office and Reading of the Proclamation by Mayor William D. Sessoms, Jr. Other attendees of the ceremony include members of the Virginia Beach City Council, Sheriff Kenneth Stolle, Deputy Secretary of Public Safety John Buckovich, and members the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office staff.
“My office seeks justice and respect for victims of crime,” Bryant said. “I value the assistance we receive from organizations such as the Department of Criminal Justice Services, the Virginia Beach Sheriff’s Office, the Virginia Beach Police Department, the Samaritan House, Parents of Murdered Children, and Response-YWCA.”
“Since 1979 when the Virginia Beach Victim Witness Program began, we have worked to assist victims of crime throughout the entire judicial process and beyond. Here it is 2010: Victim Assistance Programs are still assisting victims with heartfelt dedication to their needs. I believe that we need to go back to the Golden Rule and the basics that we learn at a young age: Treat others like you would want to be treated: with fairness, dignity and respect. The world would be a much better place,” said Beth Byrum, Victim Witness Coordinator.
In case of inclement weather, the ceremony will be held in the Jury Assembly Room on the ground floor of the courthouse, building 10. For additional information about National Crime Victims’ Right’s Week and ideas on how to serve victims in your community, please contact the Virginia Beach Victim Witness Office at 757-385-8301 or the Office for Victims of Crime web site, www.crimevictims.gov.
Similar Press Releases: Harvey Bryant, National Crime Victims Rights Week
