This week, April 22-27, is National Crime Victim's Rights Week. Several activities have been conducted to bring awareness of these rights to the community.
Thursday morning a ceremony was held in Willis Park to honor national crime victims. Just before 11:00 am the deputies turned on their patrol car blue lights. As Sheriff Griffin took to the podium, bells began to ring out for these victims.
Sheriff Griffin: "Every victim of EVERY crime has rights. They have the right to be protected from the person who victimized them. They have the right to be informed about court processes involving their case, including pretrial hearings, arraignment, motion hearings, plea, trial, sentencing, appellate review, and post-conviction relief, public release, reprieve, pardon proceedings and notice of any changes to that schedule."
Following a moment of silence, with the bells ringing, Sheriff Griffin read these statistics:
2 minute video
One murder is committed every 31 minutes.
One violent crime is committed every 6 seconds.
One robbery is committed every 57 seconds.
One person is assaulted every 7.2 seconds.
One theft is committed every 2.3 seconds.
One burglary is committed every 9.2 seconds.
One rape/sexual assault is committed every 2.7 minutes.
One woman is a victim of domestic violence every 1.4 minutes.
One man is a victim of domestic violence every 6.7 minutes.
One teenager is victimized every 19 seconds.
3 people become victims of stalking every minute.
One child is abused or neglected every 36 seconds.
One violent crime is committed against a person on the job every 19 seconds.
One person is killed in an alcohol-related traffic crash every 31 minutes.
One person becomes a victim of identity theft every 9 seconds.
One elderly person is victimized every 2.7 minutes.
A hate crime is reported to the police every 55 minutes.
In the last 15 minutes, approximately 285 people have been victimized in some form or fashion, and by the end of today, 6,840 people will become victims.
These statistics show an alarming trend in United States. Only we can change our community. You can help and, you can make a difference. · Report unusual behavior and events that you witness. · Less than half of violent crimes are reported to law enforcement. If you or someone in your family is victimized, report it immediately to law enforcement.
With your help, we can stop the criminals before another person is victimized. With your help, we can seek justice for those who have been victimized.
District Attorney's Victim Services Director Kathy Evans and Ashley Landrum
The District Attorneys Office Victim Services began last Friday with a display at Bainbridge College. There they provided information to students and staff on their services. They also placed pinwheels in front of the Victim Services Office on Broughton Street. "The pinwheels are representative of the victims," stated Kathy Evans, Director of the Victim Services Office, "their lives seem to be spinning out of control."
The Decatur County Sheriff's Office including the Sheriff's Victim Services Unit, has spent the week in the community taking orange and blue ribbons to businesses and the schools. The schools had a moment of silence on Wednesday to honor crime victims.
If you are a victim of crime you have rights.
Decatur County Sheriff's Deputy Elizabeth Croley, Victim's Advocate at 229-248-3044
District Attorney's Victim Services Office 229-246-5222
Kathy Evans, Director 300 E Broughton Street Bainbridge Georgia 39818
Calhoun County 229-246-5222 or 1-888-621-0294 Ashlee D Landrum, Advocate
Grady County 229-378-9042 or 1-800-681-1614 Wendy Knight, Advocate
Calhoun County 229-246-5222 or 1-888-621-0294 Kathy Williams, Director
Mitchell County 229-336-8451 or 1-877-216-3251 Wanda Young, Advocate
Baker County 229-336-8451 or 1-877-216-3251 Wanda Young, Advocate
Decatur County 229-246-5222 or 1-888-621-0294 Charisse Martin, Adcocate
Other Important Phone Numbers: Halcyon 800-294-9980 Liberty House 229-439-7065 MADD-Victims of DUI 888-833-6033 Georgia Legal Aide 800-735-4271 Immigrations Lawyer or Assistance 800-735-4271 Department of Family & Children Services 229-248-2420 Rape Crisis Hotline 229-432-1300 The Bridge 229-431-1125 Georgia Council on Child Abuse 800-532-3208
