Letter: Backs victim rights program

In 1980, Wisconsin became the first state in the country to pass a Crime Victims’ Bill of Rights. In the 28 years since that time, there have been many advances made to assure that victims are treated with respect and dignity. Every state and the federal government have established statutory rights for victims and, to date, 33 states, including Wisconsin, have passed constitutional amendments that protect those rights.

April 13-19 are the dates of this year’s observance of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week. The 2008 theme, “Justice for Victims, Justice for All,” evokes the highest of American values, proclaiming that without justice for victims there can be no justice for all. It affirms the nearly three decades of efforts to assure rights, protections and services for victims. It also reminds us how far we have come and how far we still have to go.

Crime can strike anyone, thus, victims’ rights are everyone’s rights. Most crime victims have the same priorities: They want to be safe and made whole; they want their physical and emotional wounds healed and their property restored; they want offenders to be held accountable for their crimes; and they want to take part in the process that holds them responsible. They also want their communities to stand respectfully behind them as they strive to rebuild their lives.

In St. Croix County, the Victim/Witness Assistance Program has been providing services to victims and their families since 1987, helping them take steps toward recovery from their victimization and helping them negotiate the criminal justice system. The mission statement of the program is “To sensitively provide crime victims with information, advocacy, and support within the criminal justice system and the community.” Honoring victims’ rights serves both victims and the public interest. Let us honor victims by striving to serve them better every week of the year.

Tags: opinion, hudson, letter, victim, rights