National Crime Victims’ Rights Week in Alabama

WHEREAS, the National Center for Victims of Crime will partner with the United States Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs and Office for Victims of Crime to celebrate 30 years of the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA); and

WHEREAS, the Victims of Crime Act’s mission is to fund crime victim compensation and victim assistance programs across our nation; and

WHEREAS, the 2014 theme is “30 years: Restoring the Balance of Justice”; and

WHEREAS, this theme honors the extraordinary progress that has been made on behalf of millions of victims since the passage of the Victims of Crime Act in 1984; and

WHEREAS, before this historic legislation was enacted, the world was very different for crime victims, their families and communities; local service providers who could meet victims’ needs for support, counseling or shelter were few; and

WHEREAS, services for victims have become more inclusive, recognizing that we all have a part to play in their recovery, from the role played by multidisciplinary teams and allied professionals to that of the wider public:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Robert Bentley, Governor of Alabama, do hereby proclaim April 6 through 12, 2014, as

National Crime Victims’ Rights Week in Alabama

in the state of Alabama.