Crime Victim's Rights Week recognition Monday

Representatives of Vernon County Domestic Violence Task Force witness proclamation of National Crime Victims Rights Week. Front row, from left: Mike Buehler, county clerk; Joe Hardin, presiding commissioner; Blake Hertzberg, Nevada City Council; Neal Gerster, northern commissioner. Back row: Kristin Richmond, circuit clerk's office; Peggy Schenker, prosecuting attorney's office; Martha Sander, Moss House director; Rick DeBruin, police officer; Everett Wolfe, southern district commissioner; Chief Graham Burnley, Nevada Police Department; Officer Amber Williamson; Sgt. Jeff Baker; Capt. Casey Crain; Doug Dyer, probation and parole officer. Other agencies in the task force not present: Vernon County Sheriff's Office, Nevada Regional Medical Center, Nevada R-5 School District, Vernon County Health Department and the children's division of the state department of health and social services. Johannes Brann/Daily Mail

Nevada Daily Mail

April 10-16, 2016, is National Crime Victims' Rights Week. This week provides an opportunity to highlight challenges faced by crime victims and emphasizes the ongoing struggle to establish victims' rights. This year's theme -- Serving Victims. Building Trust. Restoring Hope. -- underscores the importance of early intervention and victim services in establishing trust with victims, which in turn begins to restore their hopes for healing and recovery.

Meeting victims where they are takes resources, dedication, and persistence to establish a welcoming, compassionate, and supportive environment for all victims to share their stories.

"If victims are to trust that the criminal justice system will work for them, we must meet them where they are -- physically, culturally, and emotionally," said Joye E. Frost, Director, Office for Victims of Crime, U.S. Department of Justice. "When we take the time to focus on the victim in the aftermath of crime -- to address their needs for safety and justice -- we can begin to build trust and restore the hope of those victims and their communities. We all play a role in helping victims as they rebuild their lives."

In recognition of National Crime Victims' Rights Week, the Vernon County Domestic Violence Task Force will be holding a walk and ceremony on Monday, April 18. The walk will begin at 6 p.m. and proceed to the Vernon County Courthouse for the ceremony.

The walk will begin at Dr. Lovinger's Office building at 625 S. Ash and be led by the Vernon County Commissioners, Nevada Police Department, Vernon County Sheriff's Office, Vernon County Ambulance, Nevada City Council, and the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

The ceremony will be held in the courtroom inside the courthouse and will feature presentation of colors by the Nevada Police Department, special music by Ali Celaya, reading of the proclamation, a keynote speaker, and a short memorial service for victims of crime.

Our keynote speaker this year will be Danielle Conti, executive director for the Polk County House of Hope in Bolivar, Mo. Danielle graduated from Missouri State University with a master degree in Public Administration. Danielle spent seven years providing crisis intervention to victims of violent crime prior to her career move to the field of domestic and sexual violence in 2009. Currently, Danielle is responsible for all aspects of programming and planning at the Polk County House of Hope, as well as grant writing, fundraising, public awareness, and prevention. Danielle is active in the Southwest Region of the Missouri Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence. She is currently a member of Bolivar Rotary and serves on the Ozark Area Community Action Agency board of directors, including a term as board president. She has held active memberships in the ACLU, NAACP, League of Women Voters, and is a past Chair of the Violence Free Families Task Force in Springfield. She is an active volunteer in her community and serves as a foster parent.

The event is open to the public, and members of the community are encouraged to join crime victims and those who serve them in recognizing National Crime Victims' Rights Week. For more information about the event, crime victim assistance, or volunteer opportunities, contact Martha Sander at 417-667-7171. "Anyone who is victimized by crime can receive information about their rights, and the many services available to assist them," Sander said. "If you or someone you know is a victim of crime, we can help. Or if you'd like to volunteer for victims, many opportunities are available."