Events scheduled for Crime Victims' rigts Week

Several events are taking place in Cape Girardeau in recognition of National Crime Victims' Rights Week, which is this week.

Today, Cape Girardeau County commissioners will sign a proclamation recognizing the week in the county at Southeast Missouri Hospital. While the event is not open to the public, it is important people know that the county is recognizing the significance of the event, said Cape Girardeau County victim advocate Beth Garoutte.

Tuesday and Wednesday, Safe House for Women will hold a workshop aimed at improving the community's response to domestic violence. Both days will be devoted to discussions on how to improve the coordination of services provided to domestic violence victims in the community, said Linda Garner, Safe House executive director.

Keynote speaker Cari Graves will talk about the Domestic Violence Enhanced Response Team she leads in Colorado, which Safe House and other groups will model themselves after.

The workshop is funded by the Missouri Foundation for Health. In the coming months, members of the Cape Girardeau County DVERT will travel to Colorado to participate in "real time" field experiences in that community to learn firsthand the logistics that support victims of violence.

The public is invited to attend The Flower Ceremony, organized by the Victim Services of the Cape Girardeau County prosecuting attorney's office, the Cape Girar-deau Police Department and the local office of the Department of Probation of Parole. The ceremony honors and remembers all victims of crimes by distributing flowers to remember a victim of a crime during the ceremony.

Cape Girardeau assistant police chief Randy Roddy will speak at the event.

The event starts at 2 p.m. at the old Southeast Regional Office in the Cape County Park North.