Twenty-five years ago, most of the services that helped us were in
short supply. However, in 1984, in response to a report from President
Ronald Reagan's Task Force on Victims of Crime, Congress passed the
landmark Victims of Crime Act (VOCA). VOCA established the Crime
Victims Fund -- supported by fines from offenders rather than taxpayers
-- to fund victim compensation and victim services throughout the
nation as well as training for service providers.
In the past 25 years, the fund has grown from $68 million to more than
$2 billion, disbursed in amounts determined by Congress every year. In
2006, VOCA grants helped fund more than 4,400 public and nonprofit
agencies serving almost four million victims throughout the country.
This year, National Crime Victims' Rights Week (April 26 to May 2)
celebrates the 25th anniversary of the Victims of Crime Act. The theme,
"25 Years of Rebuilding Lives: Celebrating the Victims of Crime Act,"
highlights the network of lifelines VOCA has extended through our
nation.
In honor of Crime Victims' Rights Week the Vermont Center for Crime
Victim Services will host the 16th Annual VT Victims Rights Awards
Ceremony on Wednesday, April 29, at 1 p.m. at the Pavilion Building
Auditorium, located at 109 State Street, Montpelier.
JoAnn Winterbottom, who founded the Laura Kate Winterbottom Fund in
memory of her daughter, will be the keynote speaker. The LKW Fund is
dedicated to carrying on the legacy of Laura's love for art, nature and
teaching children as well as her compassion for the less fortunate, and
to eliminating the sexual violence that took her life. The fund
supports programs which help victims of sexual assault and domestic
abuse, including affected children, get the services and assistance
they need so that their suffering is alleviated and the cycle of
violence is not perpetuated.
The ceremony is free and open to the public and all are welcome. We
hope you will join us as we highlight the impact of crime in our state
and to help us honor survivors, advocates and all those who strive to
realize a shared vision of justice and compassion. For more
information, contact Barbara Whitchurch 241-1250, ext. 112, or
Russell lives in Warren.
