The First State is joining the rest of the county in observing National Crime Victims’ Rights week.
Gov. Jack Markell signed a proclamation officially declaring this week Delaware Crime Victims’ Rights week.
Markell says it’s an opportunity to acknowledge the work being done on behalf of victims all across the state.
“I think its really important to remember how many people have to be part of the solution and how fortunate we are in Delaware that there’s such a strong community working on behalf of victims,” said Markell.
Markell and groups working with victims also recognized individuals for their exceptional work Monday morning in Wilmington..
Among them was the Criminal Justice Council’s Maureen Monagle who manages federal funds allocated to the First State through the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA).
Last year, the state’s Victims’ Compensation Fund received $1.2 million in VOCA funding. Over the past two years (2012-2013), Delaware's Victims Assistance fund was sent $1.5 million as part of VOCA.
Other honored Monday included Jim McGiffin from CLASI (Community Legal Aid Society Inc.) and Cindy Mercer, formerly of the Domestic Violence Coordinating Council. They received the Domestic Violence Coordinating Council's Outstanding Community Service Award. The Delaware Victims Rights Task Force named Barbara Benezet of the Child Inc. Domestic Violence Advocacy Program and Laurel Braunstein of the state Department of Justice's Victim/Witness Unit as their 2014 Outstanding Professionals.
But Markell notes recognizing and supporting work with victims must go beyond one day or one week.
"The challenge and the issue is you think - Ok, I signed a statement, we had and event, we had some awards handed out, we take a couple of pictures - check the box and it's done. But, of course, it's not done," said Markell. "This is one day, but its the other 364 that gets us here."
Crime Victims’ Rights week continues Wednesday with the annual crime victims tribute and candlelight vigil at Delaware State University. It’s hosted by the Delaware Victims’ Rights Task Force and starts at 6:30 at the MLK Student Center. The kenote speaker is Kristen Baumer of Philadelphia, who survived a kidnapping an rape while a University of Delaware freshman. She's now a member of the R.A.P.E. outreach team for “Jane Doe No More”, an organization whose mission is to improve the way society responds to victims of sexual assault.