MILFORD – The Pike County Commissioners adopted a resolution proclaiming April 22-28 as National Crime Victims’ Right Week.  Pike County Victims and Witness Coordinator, Mary Beth Sayles, told the Commissioners that 600 victims or witnesses to crimes were helped in the county last year. Pike County participates in the SEVIN program which notifies victims when a perpetrator is released out of jail.

The purpose of designating this week is to make people aware that there are about 21,000,000 people each year who suffer the indignity of crimes that affect them emotionally, physically, and financially. It must be insured that victims are treated with fairness, dignity, and respect as they interact with the criminal justice  system. This week is also to help ensure that crime victims receive fair treatment by providing protection for child and sexual assault victims, ordering and enforcing victim restitution from offenders, and notifying victims of their right to notification and other services, thereby giving hope to victims that the system and society will work to restore dignity and respect their needs and rights.