It’s difficult to believe that only 30 years ago, crime victims’ had no RIGHTS, access to

compensation, or services to help them REBUILD their lives. They were often excluded

from courtrooms, treated as an afterthought by the criminal justice system, and denied

an opportunity to speak at sentencing.

Through decades of ADVOCACY and hard work, we have came a long way in helping

those whose lives have been torn apart by DAMAGING EVENTS. Today, all states have

enacted crime victims’ rights law and established compensation funds. As we in

Nueces County observe NATIONAL CRIME VICTIMS’ RIGHTS WEEK, we are reminded

that many CHALLENGES REMAIN. We face emerging difficulties such as globalization,

changing demographics, human trafficking, terrorism, and the use of technology to

commit crimes, We also confront enduring challenges. Victims’ rights are not universal

and often not enforced. Victims frequently do not receive the respect they deserve and

result to absorbing the physical, emotional, and financial costs of crime largely ALONE.

We are HOPEFUL that the Nueces County Victims’ Memorial Garden might provide our local crime victim community with some reassurance that we care about their HEALING and want to give them a special place to focus on that RECOVERY.

“Each of us has a unique part to play in the healing of the world”

-Marianne Williamson