PHOENIX— Arizona will mark the 35^th annual observance of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week with a recognition and awards presentation event April 4^th at El Zaribah Shrine Auditorium in Phoenix. State leaders and representatives from law enforcement agencies will honor and recognize individuals who advocate on behalf of crime victims and their families.

Background: President Ronald Reagan proclaimed the first national “Crime Victims Week” in April of 1981 to recognize the importance of giving crime victims a voice in the criminal justice process and to educate Americans about the devastating impacts of crime on families and communities. Three years later, Congress passed the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) which secured legal rights, protections, and services for victims of crime. In 1990, Arizona voters overwhelming passed an initiative creating the Arizona Victim’s Bill of Rights and in 1991 legislation was implemented guaranteeing specific rights for crime victims including the right to be present at criminal proceedings, to be heard in court, and to be treated with fairness, dignity and respect.

Media interested in covering this event are requested to arrive no later than 11:15am to set up.