Officials promote victims' rights

by Lauren McDowell
Staff Writer

The Athens County Victim Assistance Program has found new ways to promote National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, victim’s rights information and recognition of local resources available to victims.

National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, recognized nationwide this year from April 21-27, has a theme specifically related to the events of Sept. 11, said Denise Swyers, director of the program. The theme, “Bringing Honor to Victims,” is designed to honor those who died and their families.

The victim assistance program in Athens sponsored a resource fair at University Mall, 1002 E. State St., yesterday to help disseminate information on victims’ rights, Swyers said.

“It honors victims to give them options and a place to go to receive assistance,” she said.

Athens County Children’s Services Board and the victim assistance program were two organizations that attended the fair.

Children’s services responds to emergency calls when children are in danger, said Andy Ellinger, public information coordinator for children’s services. Upon court orders, representatives begin the steps of foster care or adoption for children in unhealthy families.

“We speak for the child victim,” Ellinger said.

The victim assistance program also is honoring crime victims of Athens County by sponsoring the “Tree of Life” in the lobby of the Athens County courthouse, Swyers said.

Victims of crime or their families can call or stop in to the courthouse and place a ribbon on the tree. The tree has no names, but different colored ribbons represent different crimes.

The week, primarily used as a tool to provide information and recognition, was conducted differently this year, said C. David Warren, Athens County prosecuting attorney. This year was Swyers’ first year as director, and she explored new ways to promote the message of the program, such as the “Tree of Life” and the fair at the mall.

The program has represented Athens County in one form or another since 1986, Swyers said. It became a faction of the Athens County Prosecutor’s office in 1987.

Members of the program inform crime victims and their families of their rights throughout the judicial process. Many victims do not realize how important it is to have legal advice and rights information throughout all the court levels, Swyers said.

The Victim of Crime Act Grant provides 75 percent of funding, and the Athens County general fund provides the remaining 25 percent for the program, she said.

The week is a reminder to people that in nearly all crimes there are victims, Warren said.

“There are people out there that have been injured or even killed because of the actions of others,” he said.