National Crime Victims’ Rights Week

DOVER, DELAWARE- National Crime Victims’ Rights Week promotes victims’ rights and honors crime victims and those who advocate on their behalf. This year’s theme is Engaging Communities, Empowering Victims reminding us all that individually and collectively, each citizen has a role in supporting victims of crime and empowering them to direct their own recovery.

The week’s feature event is the Crime Victims Tribute, scheduled for Monday, April 20th, 2015 at the Delaware State University MLK, Jr. Student Center in Dover. The keynote speaker for the night is Meredith Gardner. Meredith’s mother, Tammy Gardner was murdered in 2006 in Wilmington when she tried to escape a domestic violence relationship. Meredith was twelve years old and her brother was ten. The crime has forever changed their lives and Meredith wants her voice to be heard. She wants those who hear her voice to know she is not just a young woman without a mother; she is young woman who wants to be an advocate for change. Meredith wants to honor her mother by doing all that she can to prevent anyone else from becoming another victim of domestic violence.

For more information about this event please call 1-800-victim-1;  or visit the Delaware Victims Rights Task Force website:  https://sites.google.com/site/delawarevrtf/home/CVRW/2015-tribute

On Thursday, April 23rd, 2015 at 1:30pm a Proclamation Signing Ceremony marking the week of April 19th – 26th, 2015 as Delaware Crime Victims’ Rights Week will occur at Legislative Hall. Governor Jack Markell will sign the Proclamation as part of a week honoring victims of crime. The Domestic Violence Coordinating Council will present the 2015 Outstanding Community Service Award to Senator Liane Sorenson for her 17 years of service in the General Assembly, a member of the Coordinating Council for 20 years, and her dedication to enhancing the safety of victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Before the Proclamation signing victims of crime and victim advocates will be in Legislative Hall meeting with Legislators to advocate for victims rights in Delaware.

Follow all the Crime Victims’ Rights Week and Sexual Assault Awareness Month Events:

#30daysofSAAM, #NCVRW2015, #EmpowerDE