Delaware Commemorates National Crime Victims’ Rights Week – April 24-30, 2022

The following release is issued on behalf of the Delaware Victims’ Rights Task Force.  Newark Police Victim Services Coordinator Melissa Pennachi is the chairwoman of the task force.

Contact: Melissa Pennachi
(302) 540-1676
delvrtf@gmail.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(DOVER, DELAWARE – APRIL 19, 2022)

The Delaware Victims’ Rights Task Force, in commemoration of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW), April 24-30, 2022, is hosting a variety of in person and virtual events to raise awareness about crime victims’ issues and rights and introduce the community to the important resources and information available.

Crime Victims are our family, friends, neighbors, and community members.  While we can never truly understand the depth of their trauma and its impact on their lives, we can ensure that equitable, inclusive, culturally appropriate, and gender-responsive services are available to help them. By enforcing victims’ rights, expanding access to services, and upholding principles of equity and inclusivity for all, we can enable crime victims to find the justice they seek, in whatever form that might take.

The Delaware Victims’ Rights Task Force will commemorate the advancement of victims’ rights and highlight resources available by hosting resource tables at several local libraries: Wilmington Public Library (April 20^th ), Dover Public Library (April 22^nd), Woodlawn Library (April 25^th), Milford Public Library (April 26^th) and Bear Public Library (April 28^th).  We encourage the community to come their local library to see resources in their area.  Virtually, the Victims’ Rights Task Force will be sharing a proclamation by Governor Carney proclaiming the week of April 24^th as National Crime Victims’ Rights Week.  Governor Carney’s recorded message will be shared on Sunday, April 24^th on the Victims’ Rights Task Force’s Facebook page.  Additionally, a victim will share her story in a video that will also be shared online.  The Task Force is encouraging the community to reach out to their local legislators on April 27^th to commemorate Advocacy Day, to highlight Crime Victims’ Rights Week and share the importance of victims’ rights and resources.   For more information about events, in person, or virtually, please visit the Task Force’s Facebook page: www.facebook.com/delVRTF.

For local resources in Delaware, please visit www.delawarevictimservices.org.  For additional ideas on how to support all victims of crime, visit the Office for Victims of Crime website at www.ovc.ojp.ogv.