EVENT MARKS CRIME VICTIMS' RIGHTS WEEK

In the time it takes to type this sentence a person will become a victim of a violent crime in America.

Someone is a victim of a violent crime every 10 seconds, said Bettie Knoll of the Cape Girardeau Police Department. Knoll keeps up with such statistics. She is a victims' rights advocate for Cape Girardeau and a coordinator of an annual forum to observe Victim Rights' Week, which is this week in Missouri.

Victim advocates, victims, criminal justice and other professionals will gather Thursday at 6 p.m. at the Gazebo on the Cape Girardeau Common Pleas Courthouse lawn to promote public awareness concerning the rights and needs of crime victims.

This week's program is sponsored by the Cape Girardeau Police Department and the Cape Girardeau County prosecuting attorney's office in conjunction with the Board of Probation and Parole and the Safe House for Women Inc.

"Victims Voices Silent No More," is the theme for this year's observance, which will feature an experience by a crime victim.

Crime victims had few rights before 1986, said Knoll. Their voices were muted, and limited services were available to provide them with support and assistance.

In 1986, Missouri enacted legislation giving victims some rights. Victims now have the right to be told about trials of defendants and possible plea bargains, and are involved in pre-sentence investigations.

"Today more than 10,000 organizations across the nation provide quality services and assistance to victims of crime," said Knoll.

The gathering provides victims with a public forum to share their voices and visions, said Knoll. "We encourage everyone to attend and salute the many accomplishments of America's crime victims, advocates and justice officials."

Cape Girardeau Mayor Al Spradling will offer opening remarks, and representatives of local and state agencies will speak.

H. Morley Swingle, county prosecutor, will be keynote speaker. The final speaker will be a crime victim.

The ceremony will end with the dedication of a tree that has been donated for the ceremony.

It's important that victims know that while they are victims they don't have to stay that way, Knoll said.