MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp announces that the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office will recognize 2016 National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, April 10-16, with a Recognition and Remembrance Ceremony.
The ceremony, honoring victims and advocates of victims’ rights, will take place on Monday, April 11, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. in the Freeholder Public Meeting Room, Fifth Floor, in the County Administration and Records Building on Court Street in Morristown.
The Morris County Prosecutor’s Office is honored to have Patty Sly, Executive Director of the Jersey Battered Women’s Service (JBWS) as its ceremony’s Keynote Speaker.
The Honored Guest this year will be Chief Christopher Wagner, of the Township of Denville Police Department. Chief Wagner is the President of the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police.
National Crime Victims’ Rights Week has been a time of national remembrance since 1981. It is an opportunity for communities, victims and their loved ones, and professionals serving victims to join together and reflect on the progress achieved in victims’ rights.
The theme for the 2016 National Crime Victims’ Rights Week is “Serving Victims. Building Trust. Restoring Hope.” This year’s theme highlights the importance of early intervention and services for victims. It highlights the importance of building pathways to create an environment of trust, and re-establishing hope towards recovery.
Thirty years ago, crime victims did not have rights, access to crime victim compensation, or services to help rebuild their lives. They were often excluded from courtrooms, treated as an afterthought by the criminal justice system, and denied an opportunity to speak at sentencing. Today, all states have enacted crime victims’ rights laws and established crime victims’ compensation funds.
Prosecutor Knapp applauds the daily work accomplished by the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office’s Victim Witness Unit who serve as advocates in addressing all crime victims’ needs.
All are invited to join the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office at the ceremony. For more information or to RSVP, contact the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Victim Witness Unit at (973) 285-6282 or e-mail MorrisVW@co.morris.nj.us.
