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