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Michigan Department of Community Health Recognizes National Crime Victims' Rights Week April 10-16

April 12, 2011

LANSING - In conjunction with the U.S. Office for Victims of Crime, the Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) and its Crime Victim Services (CVS) division recognizes National Crime Victims' Rights Week.

The program will conclude with a candlelight vigil honoring individual victims of crime.  Attorney General Bill Schuette will be the keynote speaker.  The Crime Victim Foundation will host the Annual Awareness and Recognition Program at 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 13 in the Lake Huron Room of the Michigan Library and Historical Center. During the week of April 10 through April 16, a series of events such as public rallies and candlelight vigils will be held in Michigan and throughout the country to promote and recognize victims' rights and services.

More than 20 million Americans are victims of crime each year, and each crime affects many more, including families, friends and communities. This year's theme for National Crime Victims' Rights Week - "Reshaping the Future, Honoring the Past" - honors victims, underscoring the nation's duty to respect and support their efforts to reclaim their lives. As it calls on us to reflect on past achievements, this theme also challenges us to continue to reach out to more victims.

It is extremely important that we recognize crime victims in Michigan and throughout the country and continue the victim services we provide to help them move forward."  ""Victim assistance programs are reaching many people in Michigan to help them heal," said MDCH Director Olga Dazzo.

In 2009-2010, CVS received 1,663 cases and paid $5 million in claims, many of which were for sexual assault forensic exams.  In 2008-2009, CVS received 1,625 total cases of assault and homicide combined and paid $3.8 million in claims. Michigan's compensation program in CVS helps pay out-of-pocket medical expenses, lost earnings, funeral bills or financial support for eligible victims if they suffer physical injury as a direct result of a crime.

For more information about National Crime Victims Rights Week, visit www.ovc.gov/ .