NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — It was a moment of healing for parents who’ve lost their children to gun violence.
For National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares, joined by the police chiefs of Hampton Roads and community activists, participated in a crime victims’ rights forum at New Hope Church of God in Christ Tuesday night.
“When you talk to victims of violent crime, the one thing they never want to be is a number,” Miyares told 10 On Your Side. “This has been an utterly traumatic event for them.”
National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, observed from April 21-27, aims to highlight the rights and needs of crime victims . The theme for 2024 is ‘How would you help?’
The forum gave crime victims a space to share stories and provided resources on the Commonwealth’s new witness protection program and advocates who can walk you through the process.
“We can protect you, we can get you out of town,” Miyares said. “We can provide housing so you can testify.”
Miyares also pointed to the success of speeding up the backlog of sexual assault kits waiting to be tested, solving cold cases like the Colonial Parkway murders.
“To give victims the information in both what our office does, and for me, to hear from them because it makes me better as Attorney General when I hear about the challenges they are having,” Miyares said, “it makes me a better advocate in the General Assembly for them and the governor.”
Virginia Beach Commonwealth’s Attorney Colin Stolle will speak on Wednesday about how the community and different agencies work together to provide options, services and hope for victims of crime.
The ceremony in Virginia Beach is set to start at 2 p.m. at the General District Court House. It is open and free for the public to attend.
You can find a list of victim resources here.