National Crime Victims' Rights Week
Victims' Rights: Strength in Unity
April 23–29, 2006

Each April since 1981, OVC has helped lead communities throughout the country in their observances of National Crime Victims' Rights Week (NCVRW). Public rallies, candlelight vigils, and a host of commemorative activities promote victims' rights and services in all sectors of our society.

• Resources
• Award Recipients
• www.crimevictims.gov—public awareness Web site launched in 2005.
• Scheduled Events
• NCVRW Community Awareness Projects: This funding opportunity provides reimbursement for public awareness activities.
• Coverage of Local Crime Victims' Rights Week Events
• Press About NCVRW Honorees
• NCVRW Origins: President Ronald Reagan's Legacy

Resources

Promoting Community Awareness of Crime Victim Issues: The 2006 Resource Guide for National Crime Victims' Rights Week available for online ordering (for a fee by requesting NCJ 211520). The Guide includes:

• Victimization statistics.
• Sample PSAs and speeches.
• Special event ideas.
• Camera-ready art files.
• A 6-minute motivational video on DVD.
• Posters including the NCVRW theme poster (available for online ordering separately for a fee by requesting PS000015)
• Milestones in the New Millennium special section.

Sample the kit's content online. Check the Poster Gallery, the NCVRW Theme DVD Preview, or the PDF download options.

Promoting Online/Web Products: OVC offers various NCVRW Web banners for you to download as well as an NCVRW Screensaver.

Planning Online: OVC offers the National Calendar of Crime Victim Assistance-Related Events to help you coordinate your NCVRW activities with other national victim-related observances planned for April. Use it for planning ahead or for submitting field events for free.

Award Recipients

The Office for Victims of Crime annually recognizes individuals and organizations that demonstrate outstanding service in supporting victims and victim services. The award recipients are extraordinary individuals and programs that provide services to victims of crime.

In 2006, the recipients were honored by U.S. Attorney General, Alberto R. Gonzalez, during the awards ceremony held on April 21, 2006. OVC Director John W. Gillis and Assistant Attorney General for OJP, Regina B. Schofield, also helped honor the award winners, which had been selected from public nominations (PDF 441 kb) in eight categories:

• National Crime Victim Service Award
• Award for Professional Innovation in Victim Services
• Special Courage Award
• Allied Professional Award
• Ronald Wilson Reagan Public Policy Award*
• Volunteer for Victims Award
• Crime Victims Fund Award
• Federal Service Award

*This marks the first year of the Ronald Wilson Reagan Public Policy Award.

Scheduled Events

OVC held two events in Washington, D.C., leading up to National Crime Victims' Rights Week, April 23–29, 2006:

National Observance and Candlelight Ceremony
April 20, 2006.
U.S. Chamber of Commerce (Directions)
Open to the public
1615 H Street NW., Washington, D.C.
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Featured Speaker: Sharon Rocha, Mother of Laci Peterson and Grandmother of Conner and Author of For Laci: A Mother's Story of Love, Loss & Justice.

National Crime Victims' Rights Week Awards Ceremony
April 21, 2006
Open to the public (but registration required)
Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium (Directions)
1301 Constitution Avenue, Washington, D.C.
Time: 2:30–4 p.m.
A reception immediately followed the awards ceremony.

Download invitation (PDF 84 kb) for details on hours and locations.