The Week Serves To Highlight Both The Individuality And Collective Strength Of Crime Victims As Well As Ulster County Services Available
Community-Oriented Activities Are Scheduled During The Week To Raise Awareness About The Rights Of Victims And The Services Available In Ulster County
Kingston, NY – Acting Ulster County Executive Adele B. Reiter proclaimed the week of April 7th Crime Victims’ Rights Week in Ulster County to raise awareness about the rights of victims and highlight the many services and resources available throughout the County. Crime Victims’ Rights Week is a national campaign led by the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) that promotes victims’ rights, and honors crime victims and those who advocate on their behalf. This year’s theme is “Honoring Our Past – Creating Hope for the Future” which celebrates the “progress made by those before us as we look to a future of crime victim services that is even more inclusive, accessible, and trauma-informed.”
Adele B. Reiter, Acting County Executive
“Our Ulster County Crime Victim Assistance Program is committed to helping victims receive the services they need; however, all too often, we apply a narrow definition to the role of victim. Victims are not only those individuals who stand up and testify against their offender, but also those who do not come forward and report offensive behavior because they choose not to have their life or professional career defined by another’s inexcusable actions,” said Acting County Executive Adele B. Reiter. “Ulster County does an amazing job for hundreds of crime victims each year, but we have resources available even to those who have chosen not to formally come forward to report their circumstances, and we are dedicated to strengthening victims and survivors in the aftermath of their experiences. It is critical that anyone who has been the victim of a crime, know they are not alone and Ulster County provides important resources to assist them in reporting and recovery, including the Crime Victim Assistance Hotline, Sexual Harassment Hotline, and Corporate Compliance Hotline, all of which will maintain anonymity if requested. Ulster County strives to help ensure that victims will never feel alone and will always have a voice and I commend the Crime Victim Assistance Program, the District Attorney’s Office, and the many local organizations who work tirelessly to help victims and build resilience in our communities and work for justice for all victims and survivors.”
Some of the free services available to victims of crime in Ulster County include a 24-hour hotline; crisis counseling; advocacy, accompaniment and support with hospitals, law enforcement agencies and the District Attorney's office; criminal justice information; referrals to appropriate outside agencies; and assistance in preparing Victim Impact Statements. In addition, the Ulster County Crime Victims’ Assistance Program is the New York State Department of Health certified rape crisis program in Ulster County. This allows for confidential services to victims of sexual assault including accompaniment and advocacy to hospitals as well as support groups. The CVAP Hotline is available 24-hours a day at 845-340-3442 and please visit http://ulstercountyny.gov/probation/crime-victim-assistance for additional information.
Holley Carnright, Ulster County District Attorney
“National Crime Victims' Rights Week is an important opportunity to focus attention on the victims of crime and their families, who often feel isolated and abandoned during and after the prosecution of their case," said Ulster County District Attorney Holley Carnright. “I appreciate the fact that Acting County Executive Reiter and the Ulster County Crime Victims Assistance Program are highlighting Crime Victims’ Rights Week as a way to build greater awareness of the services and supports that Ulster County can provide to victims and their families. It is so important that people know that the Crime Victims Assistance Program is available to help at any time.”
Nancy Schmidt, Director, Ulster County Probation Department
“Crime Victims’ Rights week in April each year is an opportunity to remind the citizens and providers in Ulster County that our Crime Victims Assistance Program (CVAP) has many services available to recent and past victims of crime,” said Nancy Schmidt, Director of Ulster County Probation Department. “With the support of Acting County Executive Adele Reiter we strive to meet the needs of crime victims, empowering them to face grief, loss, fear, anger and provide hope without fear of judgment and allowing them to feel understood, heard and respected. Building on the County’s success in helping to prevent sexual assault through the Ulster County Bystanders Against Sexual Assault program which is offered in Kingston, Saugerties and New Paltz and other new initiatives, we are pleased to now have available through Ulster County and NYS Office of Victims Services, free civil legal services for victims of crime. Please join us Wednesday night to hear more about that and the victims’ role in Restorative Justice practices.”
Calendar of Events for Crime Victims’ Rights Week:
April 8th:
Acting County Executive Proclamation – Proclaiming April 7th – April 13th Crime Victims’ Rights Week in Ulster County
April 9th:
Ulster County Bystanders Against Sexual Assault (UCBASA) Training 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. (New Paltz Police Department, 83 South Putt Corners Rd., New Paltz, NY)
April 10th:
Civil Legal Services for Victims and the Victims Perspective in Restorative Justice 6:00 p.m.–7:30 p.m. (Restorative Justice and Community Empowerment Center, 733 Broadway, Kingston, NY)
April 11th:
Positive Masculinity Event - 6:00 p.m.–7:30 p.m. (SUNY New Paltz, SUB 62/63, 1 Hawk Drive, New Paltz, NY)
April 12th:
Safety Rocks: A Family Art Project - 10:00 am (Water Street Market, 10 Main Street, New Paltz, NY)
April 13th:
How Aware Are We? – Panel on Sexual Assault – 2:45 p.m. In collaboration with Ellenville Seventh Day Adventist Church (20 Berme Road, Ellenville, NY)
Details and updates regarding the activities can also be viewed by visiting the following Facebook page: www.facebook.com/uccvap
