To commemorate National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW), which runs April 19-25, 2020, 8th District Attorney General Jared Effler and his staff had originally planned a week-long “Walk Across the District” with designated walks to be held on each day of the week in each of the five counties within the district, covering Campbell, Claiborne, Union, Scott, and Fentress counties in honor of crime victims; however, in light of current circumstances, General Effler is now asking us all to observe this very important week in a different way, individually. His office will now commemorate the week with daily posts to their social media pages, highlighting area service providers and rights of crime victims. The purpose of the dedicated week and commemorations during the week is to raise awareness about crime victims’ issues and rights and introduce the community to the important resources and services available. This matters to our community because, according to the most recent Report of the Tennessee Judiciary, over 1,000 cases involving victims were filed during 2018-2019 within the district.
On a national level, the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) leads communities throughout the country in their annual observances of NCVRW by promoting victims’ rights and honoring crime victims and those who advocate on their behalf. This year’s theme-Seek Justice, Ensure Victims’ Rights, Inspire Hope-recognizes the individuals and groups whose advocacy has propelled the victims’ rights movement forward for the past half century, inspiring in victims and their loved ones a feeling of hope for progress, justice, and healing. The week has been observed annually for 39 years. The victims’ rights movement has seen much progress within that time, beginning with President Ronald Reagan’s establishment of the President’s Task Force on Victims of Crime; which cemented a path for progress in the victims’ movement. Tennessee’s Victims’ Bill of Rights went into effect in 1998, giving crime victims constitutionally protected rights.
Locally, General Effler and his team strive to ensure victims have a voice in the criminal prosecution process and that they have all of the support and means needed to have their voices heard. Across the five counties, he employs nine Victim-Witness Coordinators whose positions are dedicated to assisting victims as they navigate through the sometimes daunting court process. Many victims are being contacted by a member of his team within hours of the arrest of the perpetrator just to let them know his office is there for them. That support and communication continues throughout the legal proceedings and beyond. Members of his staff also work to assist in the process of applying for Victims’ Injuries Compensation, where applicable, and in monitoring the collection of restitution, where ordered. They also notify victims when perpetrators are parole eligible and actively oppose parole on behalf of victims or in accompaniment of victims at parole hearings as requested. General Effler and his staff are active on other fronts as well, pushing for victims’ rights in past and evolving legislation at the state level, including support of the enacted Victims’ Life Photo Bill and tireless work on the proposed Prisoner Party Photo Bill. Further, his office has been instrumental in pursuing and maintaining available grants that will help our communities better serve victims, including the operating Family Justice Center in Scott County and the ongoing development of a Family Justice Center in Claiborne County.
“Serving crime victims is one of the most important and rewarding aspects of my job. I have and will continue to make it a priority in my office that we do everything we can to give them a voice in the courtroom and beyond,” said General Effler.
For additional information about this year’s NCVRW and how to assist victims in your community, please contact your local District Attorney General’s Office. For additional ideas on how to support victims of crime, visit OVC’s website at www.ovc.gov and look for daily posts throughout the coming week in commemoration of NCVRW on the 8th District Attorney General’s Facebook page.