Oregon Department of Justice

National Crime Victims' Rights Week To Be Commemorated April 26

On Thursday, April 26, 2007, Attorney General Hardy Myers will join Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schrunk and Portland Police Bureau Assistant Chief Brian Martinek in commemorating Oregon's observance of National Crime Victims' Rights Week. Myers, Schrunk and Martinek will address a coalition of victims' advocates, service providers, prosecutors and defense attorneys, who are convening to receive training on the rights of crime victims.

The commemoration is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. at the Portland Building Auditorium, located at 1120 SW 5^th Avenue in Portland. The free training session is scheduled to run from 10:30-11:30 a.m. and is eligible for one Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credit.

Awards will be presented to six advocates for their demonstrated service to crime victims. Recipients include:

• Sally Bovett, Lincoln County Children's Advocacy Center
• Aileen Christiansen, Sherman County Victim Witness Assistance Program
• Cat Johnston, Helping Hands Against Violence, Young Women's Center
• Debra Larson, Tillamook County Victims' Assistance Program
• Martha Shotwell, Crime Victims' Assistance Section, Oregon Department of Justice
• Letetia Wilson, Center Against Rape and Domestic Violence

In addition, the Portland Police Bureau will be presented a special award for its role in developing an instructional DVD aimed at training law enforcement officers about crime victims' rights notification.

In honor of Crime Victims' Rights Week, a new web site, www.OregonCrimeVictimsRights.org, will be launched on Thursday by the Crime Victims' Rights Compliance Project to provide victims with easy, direct access to services and information.