DEPARTMENT: Attorney
FILE TYPE: Regular Action
TITLE
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Proclamation Of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week In Dakota County April 21-27, 2024
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Proclaim the week of April 21-27, 2024, as National Crime Victims’ Rights Week in Dakota County.
SUMMARY
Every person deserves to feel safe in their home, school, workplace and community. Yet each year, millions of Americans fall victim to acts of violence, theft, fraud and other crimes. Often, the pain and trauma can have life-long impacts.
The 2024 National Crime Victims’ Rights Week is observed April 21-27 and this year’s theme is How would you help? Options, services and hope for crime survivors. This theme encourages all of us - friends, family members, neighbors, colleagues, community leaders, victim service providers, criminal justice practitioners, and health professionals to consider how we can better assist crime victims.
It’s also a week to celebrate progress, raise awareness of victims’ rights and services, and stand with those whose lives have been forever altered. It is also a time to honor those who have dedicated their careers to assist crime victims.
This week and every week, the Dakota County Attorney’s Office victim witness unit and prosecutors provide crime victims and survivors with the resources they need to heal, pursue justice and emerge even stronger. These dedicated public servants provide victim support in several different ways, including, but not limited to:
• Inform victims of their granted rights - the right to: (1) be notified of certain court and correctional events, (2) participate in prosecution, (3) protection from harm (4) provide a victim impact statement; and (5) seek restitution and/or apply for financial assistance.
• Provide case updates, explain court procedures, accompany victims and their family members during court hearings.
• Offer emotional support to victims of crime as well as family members.
• Help locate needed resources, assist with completing forms and paperwork, and help create victim impact statements.
In 2023, Dakota County Attorney’s Office victim witness unit:
• Completed more than 59,000 contacts with victims, including:
o 24,915 contacts about victim services.
o 34,694 contacts regarding information and referrals.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff recommends the Dakota County Board of Commissioners recognizes National Crime Victims’ Rights Week in Dakota County, April 21-27, 2024.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
☒ None ☐ Current budget ☐ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, the week of April 21-27, 2024, is National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, and the theme is How would you help? Options, services, and hope for crime survivors; and
WHEREAS, Americans are the victims of more than 20 million crimes each year, affecting both individuals and communities; and
WHEREAS, surviving a crime can have countless lasting effects on victims including physical, psychological, social and financial issues; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to create safe environments for survivors of crime, providing not only support but also access to critical services, hope; and
WHEREAS, Dakota County is hereby dedicated to raising awareness, victim rights and services available for crime survivors.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby proclaim April 21-27, 2024, as National Crime Victims’ Rights Week in Dakota County, and honor those who assist victims of crime throughout the year; and express our sincere gratitude and appreciation for our victim witness unit, community-based victim advocates, criminal justice professionals, community members and health professionals who are committed to improving our response to all victims of crime so that they may find assistance, support, justice and hope.
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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
None.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: None.
BOARD GOALS
☒ A Great Place to Live ☐ A Healthy Environment
☐ A Successful Place for Business and Jobs ☐ Excellence in Public Service
CONTACT
Department Head: County Attorney Kathy Keena
Author: Rachel Koenigs