FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 3, 2015
Contact: Heather F. Williamson
Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office
20 East Market Street
Leesburg, VA 20176-2809
(703) 777-0242
Loudoun County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office and Victim Witness Program to Recognize Efforts of Law Enforcement and Honor Victims
“National Crime Victims’ Rights Week Celebrates Progress.
Works Toward Future Goals”
Loudoun County, Virginia- April 19th through April 25th is National Crime Victims’ Rights Week. The 2015 theme “Engaging Communities. Empowering Victims.” presents the opportunity to highlight the diversity of our community, expand partnerships to serve victims of crime, enhance efforts to meet victims where they are, and empower crime victims as they pursue justice and recovery.
National Crime Victims’ Rights Week honors and celebrates the achievements of the past thirty years in securing rights, protections, and services for victims. Outreach is increasingly focused on previously underserved populations, ensuring that efforts are being made to provide support to all victims, regardless of their background or the crime committed against them.
During the week, agencies across America will observe National Crime Victims’ Rights Week. Here in Loudoun County, the Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney and the Victim Witness Program will be distributing information regarding Crime Victims’ Rights and on Friday, April 24th from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., will host their Annual Open House and Victims’ Services Award Ceremony. The event will be held in the Community Room above the Law Library in the Loudoun County Courthouse, located at 18 East Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia.
Commonwealth’s Attorney Jim Plowman is pleased to announce that this year’s distinguished guest speaker will be Roger Canaff.
Roger Canaff, a practicing attorney, has devoted his legal career to the eradication of violence against women and children. Canaff first served as an Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney in Alexandria, Virginia, then as a Special Victims ADA in the Bronx, New York, and as an Assistant Attorney General with the state of New York. Currently Canaff trains and consults privately, and serves on the Board of Directors as president of End Violence Against Women International (EVAW), an organization that provides training, technical assistance, research and advocacy.
The awards ceremony will be open to members of the general public and the media. All are encouraged to join in our celebration and Open House. For additional information about National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, or crime victim assistance please contact the Loudoun County Victim Witness Program at (703) 777-0417 or the Office for Victims of Crime, a component of the Office for Justice Programs within the U.S. Department of Justice at www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ovc/ncvrw.
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