National Crime Victims’ Rights Week

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona joins the Department of Justice and communities nationwide in observing National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, April 21-27. This year’s theme “How would you help? Options, services, and hope for crime survivors,” emphasizes the importance of creating safe environments for crime victims. In these places, crime victims can share what happened to them, receive support, learn about life-saving services, and gain hope.

“Our community’s system of values is built on a shared commitment to seeing and serving our neighbors who have been harmed or taken advantage of,” said U.S. Attorney Escalona. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office is a steadfast partner to help victims of crime remedy harm and rebuild a sense of safety after trauma has occurred.”

Over the past year, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Alabama has provided direct services to over 650 crime victims. The office also worked alongside community partners to raise awareness about human trafficking and opioids and to host trainings and events for community members and law enforcement focused on those problem areas. The U.S. Attorney’s Office continues to maintain pivotal partnerships with One Place Metro Birmingham Family Justice Center, One Place of the Shoals, the National Children’s Advocacy Center, North Alabama Human Trafficking Task Force, and the Agency for Substance Abuse Prevention. These partnerships are key to expanding access to services and enabling crime victims to find the justice they seek, in whatever form that might take.

In addition, the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Financial Litigation Program (FLP) has worked tirelessly to recover illegally obtained funds and return them to crime victims. In 2023, the FLP collected over $11 million in restitution debts imposed in criminal cases. These funds were provided directly to crime victims. The FLP also collected nearly $400,000 in fines imposed in criminal cases in 2023.

“Rebuilding life after victimization is not a quick or simple process for survivors of crime,” added U.S. Attorney Escalona. “We are here to walk alongside victims, to help guide them through the justice system, and to connect them with resources within our community that can help them heal and move toward a safe and hope-filled future.”

The Justice Department’s Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) leads communities throughout the country in their annual observances of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW), during which victim advocacy organizations, community groups, and state, and local agencies traditionally host rallies, candlelight vigils, and other events to raise awareness of victims’ rights and services. For more information about this year’s NCVRW and how to assist victims in your own community, please visit the National Crime Victims’ Rights Week website.

The U.S. Attorney and staff will attend the following events in our local area to commemorate NCVRW 2024:

• One Heart in the Park hosted by the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office on Saturday, April 20, 2024, beginning at 11 a.m. at Linn Park. 
• NCVRW Candlelight Vigil hosted by the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office, Bessemer Division on Thursday, April 25, 2024, beginning at 6 p.m. at Perfecting Reconciliation Church.