Michael F. Easley
Governor
State of North Carolina
Office of the Governor
Governor's Press Office
State Capitol, Raleigh, NC 27603-8001
(919) 733-5612 - Toll Free 1-800-662-7005
FAX (919) 733-5166
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For Release: IMMEDIATE Contact: Renee Hoffman
Date: April 20, 2007 Phone: 919/733-5612
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GOV. EASLEY PROCLAIMS CRIME VICTIMS’ RIGHTS WEEK IN NORTH CAROLINA
Asks Citizens to Remember and Respect Crime Victims
RALEIGH – Gov. Mike Easley has proclaimed April 22-28 “Crime Victims’ Rights Week” in the state and reminded all North Carolinians to treat crime victims and survivors with compassion and respect. He said the timing of this year’s recognition is especially appropriate.
“The senseless killings at Virginia Tech are a grim reminder that violent crimes can strike anywhere at anytime,” Easley said. “Whether crime victims are innocent bystanders or know their assailants, we owe it to them to do everything we can to arrest and punish those who are responsible for the crimes, while providing victims with services that can help them rebuild their lives.”
Among the events scheduled to commemorate Crime Victims’ Rights Week is a ceremony at the Crime Victim Memorial Garden, where the names of crime victims and survivors engraved on the memorial walkway will be dedicated. The event will be held on Wednesday, April 25 at 11 a.m. at the garden in downtown Raleigh at the corner of Lane and Wilmington streets.
Currently, there are more than 3,000 community and justice system-based programs in North Carolina, according to the N.C. Council for Women/Domestic Violence Commission, that provide supportive services to crime victims, including 75 rape crisis centers and 102 domestic violence service programs. State programs for crime victims include:
• The Office of Victim Services in the Department of Correction assists victims of crime and provides expertise and education to support current and expanding services to crime victims. More information can be found at www.doc.state.nc.us/victimservices/index.htm.
• The Statewide Automated Victim Assistance and Notification network (SAVAN) was established to provide basic information about an offender in prison or on community supervision, and victims can register for telephone notification by SAVAN when an offender’s status changes. SAVAN, under the state Department of Crime Control and Public Safety, is free, confidential and available 24 hours a day by telephone at 1-877-627-2826 or on the web at www.ncsavan.org.
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