Missouri participates in the 25th annual National Crime Victims' Rights Week

Nevada Daily Mail

JEFFERSON CITY -- Statewide officials including Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder spoke Monday at a ceremony marking the beginning of National Crime Victims' Rights Week 2005 designated April 10-16.

The event began at noon at the first floor rotunda of the Missouri State Capitol Building.

Detective Jeff Westbrook of the Columbia Police Department emceed the event, which marks the 25th anniversary of National Crime Victims' Rights Week.

The theme for the silver anniversary of the awareness week is "Justice Isn't Served Until Crime Victims Are," and is dedicated to the memory of President Ronald Reagan who declared the first National Crime Victims' Rights Week in 1981.

Reagan's action was the first time, on a national scale, that the devastating effects of violent crime on individuals and communities were brought to light.

That same year Reagan issued an executive order establishing the President's Task Force on Victims of Crime, which paved the way for victim assistance and victim legislation as it is today.

Lt. Gov. Kinder presented a proclamation on behalf of Gov. Matt Blunt acknowledging the silver anniversary of the awareness week and the progress Missouri law has made in protecting the rights of crime victims.

The Missouri Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Mothers Against Drunk Driving were also recognized for providing 25 years of victims' services.

"Violent crimes victimize Missouri citizens, whether through acts against an individual or crime that affects communities as a whole," Blunt said. "This week we acknowledge the plight of Missouri victims and honor the service of victim advocates to alleviating a part of the suffering caused by senseless acts of violence."

Theresa Lamm, of Tipton, is one of those victims who shared her story with the public at the ceremony in the Capitol. Lamm's 15-year old daughter, Alisha was killed by injuries sustained in a drunk driving crash involving six teenagers from Tipton in February 2004.

Lamm spoke as evidence that crime begets multiple victims who must piece together a broken life after an act of violence.

In another emotion-filled presentation, Roseanna Franklin, a student of voice at Lincoln University, and Ruth Robertson, her instructor, performed a haunting arrangement of "Sometimes I feel Like a Motherless Child" by composer John Carter. The dissonance of the melody conveyed the abandon and hopelessness felt by many who are victims of crime. Janna Merciel, of Holt's Summit, a harpist and senior at Helias, and Sara Williams, a vocalist, also performed musical selections at the ceremony.

The following agencies donated their time and effort to making this year's ceremony and awareness week a success: the Missouri Department of Public Safety's Office of the Director, the Department of Corrections, the Division of Youth and Family Services, MADD, MCADV, the Missouri Office of Prosecution Services, the Highway Patrol's Filling a V.O.I.D. Program, the Department of Health and Senior Services, the Attorney General's Office, the Missouri Victim Assistance Network, the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, and the Department of Social Services.

Missouri citizens are encouraged to join crime victims and those who serve them in commemorating National Crime Victims' Rights Week, April 10-16.

For additional information about the silver anniversary of National Crime Victims' Rights Week or the crime victim assistance provided by the Missouri Department of Public Safety, please contact Terri Durdaller at (573) 751-4819.