Public Information Office 210 S. McDonald Street Suite 626 McKinney, Texas 75069 www.collincountytx.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 9, 2007

Collin County joins 2007 National Crime Victims’ Rights Week Observance: Victims’ Rights: Every Victim. Every Time.

(McKinney, TX) – April 22-28 is National Crime Victims’ Rights Week – a time for all Americans to learn about victimization, reflect on the cost of crime to our society, and promote laws, policies, and programs to help victims of crime rebuild their lives. Collin County will play an active role in this year’s observation. The week’s theme, “Victims’ Rights: Every Victim. Every Time.” envisions a strengthened national commitment to the nearly 24 million Americans harmed by crime each year.

During the past three decades, the United States has made dramatic progress in securing rights, protections, and services for victims of crime. Every state has enacted victims’ rights laws; law enforcement agencies give the victims greater protection; and more than 10,000 victim assistance programs have been established throughout the country. Every state has a crime victim compensation fund, and powerful federal laws, such as the Violence Against Women Act and the Crime Victims’ Rights Act, to help protect victims and fund needed services.

In Collin County, there will be several special events to commemorate the week:

National Crime Victims’ Rights Week
Schedule of Events

Sponsored by
the Honorable John R. Roach
District Attorney of Collin County
and
the Collin County Crime Victim Council

Sunday, April 22, 2007 2:30 – 4 PM
“A Celebration of Hope” Music Concert
Custer Road United Methodist Church
Open to all in the community
Sponsored by CITY House and C.R.U.M.C.

Monday – Friday, April 23 – 27, 2007
Silhouette Display **
Collin County Courthouse
210 S. McDonald, McKinney
** These silhouettes represent the crime victims served by the
Victim Assistance Unit of the D.A.’s office in 2006

Tuesday, April 24, 2007 2:30 PM
Tree Dedication and Tour *
New Collin County Courthouse
2100 Bloomdale Road, McKinney
Speaker: The Honorable John R. Roach,
Collin County District Attorney

Wednesday, April 25, 2007 8:30 – 1 PM
Child Abuse Prevention Conference
SMU Legacy Campus
Presented by CITY House

Wednesday, April 25, 2007 6:30 PM
Candlelight Vigil *
Our Community, Our Responsibility:
Joining Together to End Sexual Violence
Presented by The Turning Point and
Collin County Community College
CCCCD Spring Creek Campus Atrium
Keynote: Renowned Speaker and Author Lavinia Masters
* Refreshments provided

Members of our community are encouraged to promote the week by joining crime victims and survivors, victim advocates, justice professionals, and many others at these events.

For additional information about the 2007 National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, please contact Susan Webb, 972-548-4357 (swebb@collincountytx.gov) or Gloria Alderson, 972-548-4721 (galderson@collincountytx.gov), or visit our website, www.collincountytx.gov. For information on national resources, please visit www.crimevictims.gov.

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