National Crime Victims’ Rights Week will be observed in Santa Barbara County April 21-27, Santa Barbara County District Attorney John T. Savrnoch has announced.
To commemorate the week, Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office and the Tri-Counties Region of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) invite community members to join them for a Night of Remembrance candlelight vigil honoring those who have been impacted by a crash involving impaired driving.
The candlelight vigil will be Tuesday, April 23 at the Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office, 1112 Santa Barbara St., Santa Barbara. Check-in and refreshments begin at 6 p.m. and the vigil runs 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
National Crime Victims’ Rights Week challenges the community and its victim service providers, criminal justice partners, and concerned citizens to promote victims’ rights initiatives, and the need for effective and compassionate victim services, and financial and emotional support for all those affected by crime.
The 2024 theme, How Would You Help? Options, services, and hope for crime survivors, asks everyone — individuals, organizations and government entities — how they can help crime victims.
Are you prepared if someone confides in you about a victimization? Is your organization victim-centered and trauma-informed? Are you familiar with the services available in your community?
In Santa Barbara County, more than 4,000 individuals are directly harmed by crime each year, and each crime affects many more family members, friends, neighbors, and co-workers.
The Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Victim-Witness Assistance Program is the primary provider of help and support to victims of violent crime. It provides services such as court support and advocacy; obtaining crime victim compensation in an attempt to mitigate the negative impacts of crime; and assistance with navigating the criminal justice system.
National Crime Victims’ Rights Week honors the progress that has been made on behalf of millions of victims since the passage of the Victims of Crime Act in 1984.
“The county of Santa Barbara and the District Attorney’s Office are committed to respecting and enforcing victims’ rights, and expressing our appreciation to all of the victims and crime survivors who have turned personal tragedy into action in order to build a more just community,” said Savrnoch.