Office of Justice Programs Weekly News Brief

WASHINGTON, April 8, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following is being released today by the Office of Justice Programs:

Attorney General Eric Holder Announces Crime Victims' Rights Award Recipients — As a prelude to the observance of National Crime Victims' Rights Week, April 10-16, Attorney General Eric Holder today spoke at a Department of Justice award ceremony recognizing seven individuals and three organizations for their outstanding contributions on behalf of crime victims. The theme for this year's observance —"Reshaping the Future, Honoring the Past." — highlights the importance of crime victims' rights and recognizes individuals and organizations demonstrating a commitment to this effort.  Visit http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2011/April/11-ag-451.html for details about the award recipients.

Attorney General Holder Delivers Clear Message: "We Will Not Give Up On Our Children"— In remarks at the Youth Violence Summit on April 5, in Washington, D.C., Attorney General Eric Holder spoke to about 250 community leaders and stakeholders about the devastating effects youth violence has on society. "Networks of diverse partners have joined forces to find innovative solutions to the problems that give rise to youth violence," said Attorney General Holder.  "Although the communities that you serve confront unique challenges, each of you has signaled – and, no doubt, will prove – the value of bringing all relevant stakeholders to the discussion table.  In the past, it has been common practice to tackle the issues surrounding youth violence in isolation and piecemeal.  But I'm pleased that this forum has called for a more collaborative, more effective approach… you are also sending a powerful message … we will not give up on our children."  More information about the Summit is at www.findyouthinfo.gov.

Article Discusses How NamUs System Can Help Find Missing Persons  —  An article in the April 11 edition of People magazine, "Case Closed: Finding Lost Loved Ones," highlights how the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs), a project supported by the Department of Justice's National Institute of Justice, assists families in  searching a database of records related to missing and unidentified missing persons. NamUs is one resource that can be used in locating missing individuals. Recently, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention's released the Guide for Implementing or Enhancing an Endangered Missing Advisory (EMA) to help law enforcement agencies notify the public of missing persons cases not meeting strict criteria for an AMBER Alert.  An AMBER Alert can be issued when a case meets specific criteria, such as confirmation by law enforcement that a child younger than 17 has been abducted and is at risk for serious injury or death. Details about NamUs, the EMA Guide and the AMBER Alert program are available through the following links:  www.NamUs.gov, http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/ojjdp/232001.pdf, and www.amberalert.gov/faqs.htm.

OJP11089

SOURCE Office of Justice Programs