LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – April 22-28 marks National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, a time to honor crime victims and the nation’s progress in advancing their rights.

This year’s theme – “Extending the Vision: Reaching Every Victim” – celebrates the vision behind that progress and the ideal of serving all victims of crime.

Lake County Victim-Witness will observe National Crime Victims’ Rights Week with several special events and programs.

Over the weekend, McGruff the crime dog took part in the Children’s Festival at Library Park in Lakeport; on Tuesday, April 24, Victim-Witness will host an annual noon barbecue for law enforcement and service providers; and on Wednesday, April 25, Middletown Rancheria and Sunrise Special Services will host a training for the District Attorney’s Office, Victim-Witness Division on “From Report Through Court” and the impact of AB 109 on victims of crime at Twin Pine Casino in Middletown.

The vision that launched the victims’ rights movement emerged more than 30 years ago. Then, as now, crime victims endured physical and emotional wounds, costly financial burdens, an often hostile criminal justice system and an alarming public tendency to blame them for the crimes against them.

Victims often were excluded from courtrooms, disrespected by officials and afforded few rights.

They began organizing to confront these challenges and to promote fair, compassionate and respectful responses to victims of crime.

Since the 1980s, the nation has made dramatic progress in securing rights, protections and services for victims of crime.

Every state has enacted victims’ rights laws and 32 states have constitutional victims’ rights amendments.

All states have victim compensation funds, and more than 10,000 victim service agencies have been established throughout the country.

The Office for Victims of Crime, U.S. Department of Justice, supports a range of programs for crime victims, and seeks to extend those services to those who are underserved.

Yet there is still so much to do, according to advocates.

Victims’ rights are not universal and are often not enforced. Only a fraction of victims receive crime victim compensation, which is usually limited to victims of violent crime.

More than 50 percent of crimes are not reported and fewer than 20 percent of victims receive needed services.

The victim services system is fragmented and uncoordinated, and agencies are struggling to keep their doors open in the face of budget cuts.

Yet victim advocates have not lost their resolve.

“Our commitment to ‘extend the vision’ and ‘reach every victim’ will overcome every challenge that confronts us now,” said Joye E. Frost, acting director, Office for Victims of Crime, U.S. Department of Justice. “The vision, determination, and passion for justice that inspired our history will help us transform the future for every victim of crime.”

Each community can encourage its members to participate in the week’s events and find ways to help victims of crime.

For additional information about National Crime Victims’ Rights Week and how to help victims in your community, please contact Lake County Victim-Witness at 707-262-4282, or visit their Facebook page at Victim/Witness Division of the Lake County District Attorney’s Office.

For more ideas on how to volunteer, visit the Office for Victims of Crime Web site, www.crimevictims.gov .