Randolph County proclaims Crime Victims’ Rights Week

ELKINS – The Randolph County Commission approved a proclamation for National Crime Victims' Rights Week Tuesday during its regular meeting at the James F. Cain Courthouse Annex.

Since 1981, National Crime Victims' Right Week has been held during an entire week in the month of April. This year's NCVRW will be observed from April 21-27.

During an informational presentation at the meeting, Victims Services Coordinator Mindy Boggs, from the Randolph County Prosecuting Attorney's Office, discussed Victims' Rights Week with Commissioners Cris Siler, David Kesling and Chris See.

"Options, services and hope for crime survivors are the focus during National Crime Victims' Rights Week," Boggs said. "The 2024 theme asks all of us, friends, family members, neighbors, colleagues, community leaders, victims service providers, criminal justice practitioners and health professionals, how they can help crime victims."    

Boggs, who was joined at the meeting by Casey Stiles, Jennifer Collier and Leckta Poling, also of the Prosecuting Attorney's Office staff members, told the Commission that this year's theme is a call to action for everyone to create safe environments for crime victims and to share what happened to them.

"We can offer support. options for services, and, most importantly, hope," Boggs said.

By approving this proclamation, the Randolph County Commission is dedicated to raising awareness of options, services, and hope for crime survivors, she said.

"The proclamation acknowledges surviving crime can have a lasting effect on victims," Boggs said. "Countless survivors never tell anyone and there is a moral responsibility to participate in the healing of others.

"The community can provide services through businesses, places of worship, neighbors, and family members. Listening to survivors, and a willingness to create options to ensure victims receive help and seek justice, give survivors hope and a better future is possible. I encourage everyone to ask themselves how they can help a victim of crime."

Local resources available to victims include the Randolph County Prosecuting Attorney's Office, Centers Against Violence, Children's Advocacy Center, Appalachian Community Health Center, Elkins Family Counseling Center, and Youth Health Services.

Help is also available by calling the National Victim Center at 1-800-394-2255.