Attorney General’s Office Joins 2007 National Crime Victims’ Rights Week Observance

PIERRE, S.D. - Attorney General Larry Long said today that April 22-28 is National Crime Victims’ Rights Week. The year’s theme, "Victims’ Rights: Every Victim. Every Time.," envisions a strengthened national commitment to the nearly 24 million Americans harmed by crime each year.

"It is important that all South Dakotans learn about victimization and work to promote laws, policies, and programs to help victims of crime rebuild their lives." said Long. "It is equally important that we ensure that victims know their rights and how to make the most of them."

The U.S. Department of Justice will launch National Crime Victims’ Rights Week in Washington, DC, with its fifth annual National Candlelight Observance Ceremony on April 19th, and its Awards Ceremony, April 20, to honor extraordinary individuals and programs that provide services to victims of crime. 

For more information about the South Dakota Crime Victims’ Compensation program call 605-773-6317 or 1-800-696-9476. For additional information about national resources available to help crime victims, visit the website developed by the National Center for Victims of Crime www.ncvc.org. The Attorney General’s Victim Witness Program provides victim services in rural areas in South Dakota and for more information about this program visit  http://dci.sd.gov/.

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