Turning Point will highlight National Crime Victims’ Rights Week 2013 (April 21-27) by displaying their portion of the Clothesline Project. The week is to support all victims of crime and those who advocate tirelessly for these victims.
The Clothesline is part of a nationwide effort to bring attention to the issue of violence against women. Since the first project took place in Massachusetts in 1990, over 100 projects in 26 states and three foreign countries have been started. For more information about the nation-wide Clothesline Project you can visit www.clotheslineproject.org.
Turning Point says that only 30 years ago, crime victims had no rights, access to crime victim compensation, or services to help rebuild their lives. They were often excluded from courtrooms, treated as an afterthought by the criminal justice system, and denied an opportunity to speak at sentencing.
Yet through decades of advocacy and hard work, Turning Point says we have come a long way. Today, all states have enacted crime victims’ rights laws and established crime victim compensation funds. More than 10,000 victim service agencies help victims throughout the nation. Every year, states and localities receive millions of federal dollars to support these services.
National Crime Victims’ Rights Week reminds that many challenges remain. Turning Point says crime victims’ rights are not universal and are often not enforced. Only a small percentage of victims receive crime victim compensation, which is usually limited to victims of violent crime. According to last year’s National Crime Victimization Survey, more than 50 percent of violent crimes were not reported to police in 2006-2010. In addition, a 2011 report called the Use of Victim Services Agencies by Victims of Serious Violent Crime showed that only 9 percent of violent crime victims received needed services in the 1993-2009 timeframe.
Turning Point says advocates also face a host of new challenges as they strive to provide culturally competent services for increasingly diverse populations (e.g., seniors, teens, immigrant populations) and victims of newly prevalent crimes (e.g., trafficking and technology-related stalking and identity theft). As funding sources decrease, providers must target their services even more strategically.
Paula Roller, Executive Director of Turning Point, asks that the public visit the Clothesline to see how crime victims are affected in our community. Roller states, “It is a wonderful visual display of triumph over adversity and can also serve as a cautionary tale for current victims to leave before it’s too late.”
Turning Point offers a 24-hour hotline for victims of domestic violence. If you or someone you know needs help or if you would like more information, call (800) 232-6505 or (740) 382-8988. They are online at www.turningpoint6.org and can also be found on Facebook. They are funded through various United Way agencies and the Delaware/Morrow Mental Health and Recovery Board.
About Marion Online News
