DETROIT, MI - In observance of National Crime Victims' Rights Week, April 23-29, 2023, the United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Michigan will be recognizing crime victims and those who have dedicated their lives to serve and assist victims of crime.

"My office affirms our unwavering commitment to serving victims of crime," stated United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison. "Our staff of professionals are dedicated to ensuring that victims' rights are protected, and that their voices are heard in every case."

"The rights of crime victims are critically important. They have been victimized, traumatized, injured, and some are surviving family members of a loved one that has been killed," said Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy. "Hopefully, National Crime Victims' Rights Week will not only bring awareness of crime survivors and will make others think about their plight beyond this week."

Each year in April, the federal Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) leads communities throughout the country in their annual observances of National Crime Victims' Rights Week by raising awareness of victims' rights and honoring crime victims and those who advocate on their behalf. This year's theme is "Survivor Voices: Elevate. Engage. Effect Change." Partner organizations are committed to engaging with victims of crime; learning from their lived experiences; amplifying their voices; and fostering an environment where they are heard, believed, and supported.

This year Crime Stoppers of Michigan, in partnership with the Detroit Crime Victims Action Team (DCVAT), which is comprised of special agents and victim advocates from federal and local law enforcement agencies in the Detroit area, will honor the YWCA of Metropolitan Detroit-Interim House Domestic Violence Shelter for their work with domestic violence victims and their children. For years, the YWCA has provided safe housing and counseling for women and children who are seeking shelter from an abusive situation.

This year's Crime Victims' Rights Week event will be held on Thursday, April 27, 2023, from noon to 1 p.m. at the Frank Murphy Hall of Justice, 1441 St. Antoine, Detroit, Michigan. Katrina Carmichael, Founder/CEO of Sister2Sister Connection, LLC, a mentoring program for young women and Founder/Executive Director of SADA's House, a non-profit organization providing assistance for victims of domestic violence, will be the guest speaker and share her emotional story of how she lost her sister as a result of an act of domestic violence. There will also be a butterfly release following the presentation to honor those who have been victimized by crime.

Following the event, the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office will be hosting a Wellness Event featuring vendors, food trucks, resources, and more. For more information about the wellness event, contact Mechelle Donahoo at 313-224-5626 or Pat Little at 313-559-6624.

All are welcome to attend this event.

According to a report from the Bureau of Justice Statistics, in 2021, there were more than 4.6 million violent victimizations and 11.7 million property crimes, the latest year for which such information is available. President Ronald Reagan proclaimed the first National Crime Victims' Rights Week in 1981 to bring greater sensitivity to the needs and rights of victims of crime.

For more information about how to support all victims of crime, visit OVC's website at www.ovc.ojp.gov.