PCCD Recognizes National Crime Victims' Rights Week in Pennsylvania

HARRISBURG, Pa., April 22, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- PCCD officials this week joined victim advocates, survivors of crime, law enforcement and other supporters in a rally at the State Capitol to recognize National Crime Victims' Rights week, which runs from April 19 through 25, 2015.  The rally highlighted this year's theme – Engaging Communities, Empowering Victims – which emphasizes the role the entire community plays in supporting the victims of crime and their recovery.   

"Helping the victims of crime has been a priority of PCCD for decades," Josh Shapiro, Chairman of PCCD said. "Our goals are to ensure that victims have a voice in the criminal justice system, and offer assistance to help victims and their families recover from the crimes committed against them. While we do this good work year-round, this week is an excellent opportunity to highlight our efforts on victim advocacy and support"

Through the various funding streams that PCCD administers, well over 350,000 victims have been assisted in the commonwealth over the past year, either through direct services, such as counseling or advocacy, or through assistance with criminal justice system procedures.  PCCD also directly supported over 7,000 victims last year through victims' compensation, which reimburses victims for their financial losses as a result of the crime and covers other needed services.

National Crime Victims' Rights week has been observed since 1981. Rallies and commemorative activities occur during this week each year to promote crime victims' rights and to honor victims of crime, their family members, victim service providers and the advocates who support them.

"Without funding from PCCD, victims and witnesses would go without services that assist with the restoration of their daily lives," said Amy Rosenberry, Executive Director of the Victim/Witness Assistance Program in Dauphin County.  "Services such as court accompaniment, relocation, crisis response, and supportive counseling are so desperately needed from the instant a crime occurs through sentencing, and even beyond, to ensure each and every individual who, through the poor choices of another, becomes a victim and that they are given the opportunity to understand their rights and have a voice in the system."

"In addition, PCCD has assumed a new role over the past year in increasing services for child victims," Shapiro said.  "As part of the improvements made to the Child Protective Services Law, over $2 million in state funding has been administered to support the development of new and existing children's advocacy centers, which focus on assisting child victims of sexual and physical abuse. Our aim is to continue to enhance these services over the years to come." 

The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency's mission is to enhance the quality and coordination of criminal and juvenile justice systems, to facilitate the delivery of services to victims of crime and to increase the safety of our communities. For more information, visit www.pccd.state.pa.us or call 717-705-0888.

MEDIA CONTACT: Luanne Melia (717) 705-0888

SOURCE Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency

Related Links

http://www.state.pa.us