National Crime Victims' Rights Week is an opportunity to pay tribute to the millions of Americans who have been victimized by crime. Since even before the first crime victim assistance programs in the United States were formed in the 1970s, crime victim advocates have worked to assist crime victims by providing direct assistance and working to change the laws where necessary. The following year then President Ronald Reagan appointed the Task Force on Victims of Crime. This recommendation initiated the drive to pass State constitutional amendments guaranteeing crime victims certain rights. Victims' rights amendments are important to balance the scales of justice to assist those who have suffered while still ensuring that those accused of crimes are not deprived of their rights.
Work is ongoing to amend the U.S. Constitution.
Victims of crime suffer a special burden that makes it important that we taks the time to hear them and acknowledge how they have suffered. We want to believe we are safe, and that is difficult to do when confronted with someone who has been victimized. Unfortunately, as Lucy N. Friedman, who started the Victims Services Agency in New York City, notes this denial of the victims allows violence in our society to continue to flourish. So take time this April to show your support for crime victims in our community, state and nation, by participating in the planned activities and by wearing a blue ribbon. In idaho anyone who suffers harm as a direct result of a charged felony or misdemeanor involving physical injury, or threat of physical injury, sexual assault offences or juvenile offense that would be felonies if committed by an adult has the constitutionally protected rights listed on the next page of this newsletter.