National Crime Victims’ Rights Week is held each year in April and is dedicated to educating the public about victimization and the effect victimization has on individuals, families, friends, and the community and to promote laws, policies, and programs to help victims of crime.

This year, National Crime Victims’ Rights Week is from April 7-13, and the theme is “Honoring Our Past, Creating Hope for the Future.”

To begin National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, Delaware County District Attorney Katayoun Copeland was joined by CASA Youth Advocates Executive Director Leigh Anne McKelvey to announce a newly formed child advocacy coalition, Voices for Children.

Along with CASA Board Members and staff, Copeland was joined by coalition members from victim agencies, including Family Support Line, Children and Youth Services, Delaware County Women Against Rape, and Crime Victim Services.

“We commend CASA for securing funding to establish this new coalition here in Delaware County to serve our most vulnerable, specifically child victims,” said Copeland. “National Crime Victims’ Rights Week is an opportunity for victim-serving agencies to collaborate and raise awareness of available services, while honoring those victims and survivors and providing hope for the future.”

Since 1992, CASA Youth Advocates has worked to ensure each child in Delaware County’s child welfare system a safe, permanent, and nurturing home. Delaware County CASA recruits and trains volunteer Court Appointed Special Advocates to advise the courts on the best interests of an abused or neglected child, with support and guidance from CASA’s professional staff of social workers and attorneys. In 2018, CASA served 231 children, nearly double of the number of cases served within the past 10 years.

Click here if you are interested in being involved with the Voices for Children coalition.

“We at CASA are honored to be entrusted by our funders, the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency and The Foundation for Delaware County to support this initiative, and to be joined by partner organizations to collectively impact children here in Delaware County,” said McKelvey. “CASA will serve as the facilitator of this effort, but the collective organizations and individuals involved will drive the coalition forward.”

The District Attorney’s Office and victim agencies will host events to commemorate National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, including agency resource tables at the Courthouse and Government Center and the First Annual Crime Victims’ Walk and resource event held at 4:30 PM in the Government Center on Friday, April 12.

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