A whole week in April each year is dedicated to recognizing crime victims, their rights, and their stories. It is an annual campaign that focuses on the victims’ rights movement, federal legislation, court decisions, government actions, and programs working with crime victims. The week-long campaign raises awareness and helps victims rebuild their lives.
National Crime Victims’ Rights Week is a time to acknowledge the trauma victims of crimes often experience, and to recognize the tireless work of dedicated advocates who have taken up the cause of supporting crime victims across our country.
National Crime Victims’ Rights Week 2023
According to The Office for Victims of Crime, the importance of this year’s chosen theme is to “call upon communities to amplify the voices of survivors and create environments where survivors have the confidence that they will be heard, believed, and supported.”
How We Get Involved
The Crime Victims Unit within Lone Star Legal Aid (LSLA) assists survivors of crime with civil legal issues they face because of the crime committed against them. Not only does LSLA represent clients in court, but our social worker helps clients process their mental health concerns. Our partner website provides a Network of service providers who work together and can offer a broad spectrum of legal and non-legal supportive services essential to helping survivors recover.
Our recent episode of The Safe Space is hosted by LSLA’s Director of Communications, Clarissa Ayala, and Digital Media Specialist, Ashley Norris. Together, they explain sexual violence statistics, share what resources are available to survivors, and bring back voices from the 2022 season of The Safe Space.
Upcoming Event
In honor of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, our next episode of Law Talk Friday will focus on the aftermath of traumatic events. Crime Victims Legal Assistance Coordinators Jocellyn Camarillo and Rebecca Rodriguez will be joined by Pennie Stanley of the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office to discuss how feelings are normal responses to abnormal situations. Tune in to Facebook LIVE on Friday, April 28 at 3:00 PM.
Our Message to Crime Survivors
Remember, seeking legal information and resources is a sign of strength and a proactive approach to protecting your interests. Don’t hesitate to contact us for help, even if you question whether you are eligible for assistance. Allow your legal aid organization to determine your eligibility and decide to take on your case.
Lone Star Legal Aid (LSLA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit law firm focused on advocacy for low-income and underserved populations by providing free legal education, advice, and representation. LSLA serves millions of people at 125% of federal poverty guidelines, who live in 72 counties in the eastern and Gulf Coast regions of Texas, and 4 counties in Southwest Arkansas. LSLA focuses its resources on maintaining, enhancing, and protecting income and economic stability; preserving housing; improving outcomes for children; establishing and sustaining family safety, stability, health, and wellbeing; and assisting populations with special vulnerabilities, like those with disabilities, the aging, survivors of crime and disasters, the unemployed and underemployed, the unhoused, those with limited English language skills, and the LGBTQIA+ community. To learn more about Lone Star Legal Aid, visit our website at www.LoneStarLegal.org.
Media contact: media@lonestarlegal.org
