U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, Timothy M. O’Shea, has announced his support for National Crime Victims' Rights Week, which takes place from April 6 to 12, 2025. The U.S. Department of Justice and its Office for Victims of Crime join him in this initiative, which has been observed annually since 1981.
This year's theme is "Kinship," emphasizing the importance of connecting through shared humanity to provide necessary services, rights, and healing to crime victims. O’Shea remarks that this observance challenges society to create an environment where such connections foster healing. He notes that resources should be accessible to all survivors and that support should be offered with empathy and intention.
Reflecting on the essence of justice, O'Shea asserts, “Many people think justice is only a conviction or an arrest, but for survivors, justice means being heard, treated with dignity and respect, and restored to the degree that goal can be achieved through restitution, treatment, and other remedies." He assures that his office will continue its efforts to honor victims' voices throughout federal criminal prosecutions.
Acknowledging the work of law enforcement and community members who assist crime victims, O’Shea states, “being a crime victim can have lifelong impacts on an individual’s mental and physical health. Providing emotional support and other assistance to crime victims is an invaluable part of providing justice and I applaud those who do this important work.”
Further details on Crime Victims' Rights Week are available on the Office for Victims of Crime's website.