National Crime Victims’ Rights Week Event Set for April 14 in Roanoke 

Roanoke Valley Victims’ Resource Coalition to Host Community Day at Wells Fargo Plaza

Roanoke, VIRGINIA – In commemoration of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, the Roanoke Valley Victims’ Resource Coalition will host a Community Day on Saturday, April 14 from 1-3 p.m. at Wells Fargo Plaza near Market Square in Roanoke.  The event is designed to highlight recovery and other resources available to crime victims in the Roanoke Valley, provide the community with information about crime enforcement, emphasize prevention education, and foster the ties between law enforcement and the communities they serve.  

“Ensuring that the voices of all victims of crime be heard is an integral part of the criminal justice system and something that I, as the United States Attorney, take extremely seriously.” United States Attorney Thomas T. Cullen said today. “This weekend’s community event will allow service providers and law enforcement agencies to come together to meet the community in an informal setting to build trust and forge lasting relationships that will help us better serve victims in the future.”

Saturday’s event is free and family friendly with interactive demonstrations and information available from more than a dozen federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies and service providers. There will be plenty for children to see and do, including police motorcycles, firetrucks, police cars, other law enforcement vehicles, K9 Officers, activities, games, food and more.

In addition, there will be information available for adults about local community groups, service providers, drug prevention tips, exhibitions and more. A particular area of focus is crimes against the elderly. Information will be available from the United States Attorney’s Office that focuses on schemes directed at seniors, such as phone scams, healthcare scams, frauds involving grandchildren, and IRS imposter scams. Additional information will be available offering tips to keep seniors safe from falling victim to these frauds, as well as information about what to do if an elder person believes they have been a victim of a fraud.

The Office for Victims of Crime of the U.S. Department of Justice leads communities throughout the country in their annual observances of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week by promoting victims’ rights and honoring crime victims and those who advocate on their behalf. This year’s theme, Expand the Circle: Reach All Victims, highlights how the investment of communities in serving crime victims expands the opportunity for all victims, including those who are sometimes overlooked or marginalized, to disclose their victimization, connect with services, and receive the support they need.

The Roanoke Valley Victims’ Resource Coalition members include federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, victim witness and victim assistance programs, state government agencies, federal government agencies and a multitude of service providers and shelters from the greater Roanoke area.