Support for victims of violent crime and the rights they have are highlighted one week every year. This year the support is shown April 25-May 1 with the celebration of National Crime Victims' Rights week, with local groups participating as well.

"Crime victims want to have a voice to let people know that they are there, and they don't want to be revictimized when it comes to the court system. They want to know that there is someone out there who can help them," said Stephanie Beougher, spokeswoman for Ohio Attorney General Betty Montgomery's office.

This is the 19th annual NCVR week, she said. This year's theme is "Victim's Voices: Silent No More." Beougher said the week is celebrated across the nation by tens of thousands of organizations, including hundreds of organizations in Ohio.

In Athens County, My Sister's Place, the Athens County Prosecutor's Office Victim Assistance program, Careline and several other organizations provide assistance to victims of violent crime.

Some of these organizations are planning events for the week.

Kate McGuckin, executive director of My Sister's Place, said the organization, in its 22nd year of operation, provides an array of services in an outreach setting for victims of violent crime. In 1998, those services helped 654 victims of violent crime.

"We have an emergency shelter for victims and their children," she said.

"We're a licensed mental health crisis center with interdiagnostic assessment, individual and group counseling, case management, education, consultation and referrals."

In celebration of NCVR week, McGuckin said My Sister's Place has planned a kickoff fund-raising event at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday at the Ridges auditorium and a victim advocates' recognition reception for Wednesday evening.

She said they also have done radio spots and are planning a spot on WOUB on Tuesday night in conjunction with the Victim's Assistance program.

The Victim's Assistance program advocate Evonne Walley said the organization provides a number of services.

"We provide primarily courtroom support services, including orientation, escort services, safe waiting areas and court monitoring," she said.

"We give information to victims about individual case status and restitution and notification of court dates, paroles and prison releases."