Gubernatorial Proclamation - Victims' Rights Week

On Tuesday, Governor John P. de Jongh, Jr. signed a proclamation declaring this week as Crime Victims’ Rights week in the Virgin Islands. 

In the proclamation de Jongh noted that victims of crime and crisis and their loved ones often face serious financial, physical, emotional and psychological losses and violent crime seems to be more brutal due to the proliferation of weapons, the increase in drug-related activity and the breakup of family and community life. 

“The aftermath of criminal violence may cause additional losses to victims due to inappropriate treatment by social and governmental institutions and certain groups such as victims of hate crimes, partner abuse victims, chronically mentally ill victims, homeless victims, elderly victims, child victims, surviving loved ones of homicide victims, victims of drunk driving crashes, sexual assault victims, catastrophic physical injury victims, burglary victims, gay and lesbian victims, victims of gang violence, victims who are poor are too often least served in many of our communities,” de Jongh said, adding that there are still too few services for victims and too little attention to establishing their rights.

Additionally, the governor pointed out that thousands of our fellow citizens in their work and their volunteer activities are seeking to provide needed help to victims of crime and crises and “many victims and survivors of crime have demonstrated extraordinary courage and strength as they have sought to help themselves, their loved ones and others.” He said such victims, survivors, and victim advocates should be supported in their work to ensure a better life for us all. “Such victims, survivors and advocates want nothing more than the end of criminal violence in our society as expressed in the theme, “Justice for Victims; Justice for All.”

In issuing the proclamation de Jongh urged all citizens as well as public and private institutions as well as civic and community organizations to join him in support of those rights.

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