Buildings turn purple for National Crime Victims’ Rights Month
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Many buildings across the Las Vegas valley are turning purple in honor of National Crime Victims’ Rights Month.
The month is dedicated to raising awareness for victims and survivors of violent crime. The theme for 2024 is “How Would You Help? Options, Services, and Hope for Crime Survivors.”
“There is help out in the community,” said Ana Malafu-Eliesa, Victim Witness Administrator. “We want to ensure that their rights are being met, whether it’s mentally, whether it’s physically. And through the court proceedings, we want them to know that they’re being supported.”
According to the Marsy’s Law website, the US Constitution gives those accused of crimes more than 20 individual rights, while victims have none.
“It’s important for our victims to voice their opinions and to be able to share what has occurred in their life and the circumstances that they’re in and be given hope,” said Malafu-Eliesa.
The Victim/Witness Assistance Center in Clark County is a local organization under the District Attorney’s office that advocates for victims. Victims’ advocates are trained to assist and support victims and their families in their journey through criminal justice court proceedings and beyond.
“Victims oftentimes are unfamiliar with the criminal justice system,” said Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson. “They’ve been traumatized, they’ve been hurt, they’ve been victimized, so we want to recognize what victims go through and what they experience.”
“Going to court is very nerve-wracking,” said Malafu-Eliesa. “[Victims and their families] can contact our division, Victim Witness, and have an advocate accompany them to court, have an advocate sit with them through the court proceedings, as well as assist them in writing their victim impact statement, and assisting them reaching out to the different agencies to support them.”
Throughout the process, victim advocates partner with local organizations to connect victims and survivors with resources and services which they say aids their healing and recovery.
“They actually continue with our advocates throughout the proceedings even up to when it comes to sentencing, to assist them with victim impact statements, providing restitution, signing them up for victims’ of crime to assist with any of their financial needs that occurred because of the crime,” said,” said Malafu-Eliesa. “It is important for our victims to know this is available for them.”
More information on the Clark County Victim/Witness Assistance Center is available on the Clark County website.
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