National Crime Victims’
Rights Week Ceremony Stresses ‘Strength in Unity’
JEFFERSON CITY, April 27, 2006-Director of Public Safety
Mark James today spoke at a ceremony celebrating 2006 National Crime
Victims’ Rights Week in the Missouri State Capitol Building.
The event marked the 26th anniversary of a concerted national effort
to promote victims’ rights and services and educate communities
about the impact of crime.
Director James presented a proclamation on behalf of
Gov. Matt Blunt marking April 23-29 Crime Victims’ Rights Week
and encouraging Missourians to stand united in a commitment to respect
and protect each other.
“Missourians must unite against crime and become
advocates for victims’ rights as we help the more than 254,000
crime victims in our own state,” Blunt said. “The Department
of Public Safety’s bold initiatives to engage individuals and
communities in crime prevention is something to celebrate and continue
not only today, but throughout the year.”
Crime statistics show that each week in Missouri an
average of seven murders, 27 forcible rapes, 136 robberies, 402 aggravated
assaults, 806 burglaries, 2,229 thefts, 624 incidences of domestic
violence, nearly one domestic violence homicide, nearly one child
abuse death, 178 cases of child abuse and neglect are committed and
eight people die in DWI incidents.
Crime 2005 Total Crime 2005 Total
Murder (includes DV) 399 DV Incidents 32,488
Forcible Rape 1,446 DV Homicides 42
Robbery 7,098 Child Abuse Deaths* 41
Aggravated Assaults 20,948 Child Abuse and Neglect* 9,262
Burglary 41,941 DWI Deaths* 449
Thefts 115,906 *2004 data
Amy Hurt, the mother of a sexual assault victim, shared her testimony.
Victim service agencies throughout the state hosted informational
booths set up at the 3rd floor rotunda prior to the ceremony, and
MADD hosted a reception at the 3rd floor rotunda following the event.
Public Safety’s Office for Victims of Crime coordinated the
event with the Missouri Department of Corrections, Health and Senior
Services, Labor and Industrial Relations, Social Services-Youth Services,
the Missouri Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence (MCADSV),
Missouri Office of Prosecution Services, the Missouri State Highway
Patrol-Filling a V.O.I.D., and Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).
For more information about the event or National Crime
Victims’ Rights Week, please contact Terri Durdaller at (573)
751-4819.