Since 1981, the federal Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) has honored crime victims during National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW) in April. It has challenged the Nation to confront and remove barriers to achieving justice for all victims of crime. During NCVRW, we celebrate the accomplishments of crime victims and the victims’ rights movement and reflect on how far we have come.
2025 NCVRW
National Crime Victims’ Rights Week was the week of April 6 –12, 2025. The theme for the week was KINSHIP – a state of being with survivors that drives vital connections to services, rights, and healing. To commemorate the week and the OVA’s 25th year of existence, the OVA held a legislative breakfast at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford, CT. During the event, the OVA released a 5-minute video reviewing the progress made in the State. Governor Ned Lamont joined the celebration by declaring the week as Connecticut Crime Victims’ Rights Week. View the video on CTN.
2024 NCVRW
National Crime Victims’ Rights Week was the week of April 21-27, 2024. The theme for the week asked all of us—friends, family members, neighbors, colleagues, community leaders, victim service providers, criminal justice practitioners, and health professionals—how we can help crime victims? The OVA partnered with CCSU Women's Center and worked with a CCSU intern to host “Together We Rise: A Closer Look at Careers in Victim Services.” The event showcased the state organizations that aid crime victims, demonstrated how these organizations collaborate to support victims, and provided information on how CCSU students can engage in these careers via a panel discussion, one-on-one networking, and table presentations. Read more about the event on Record Journal.
2023 NCVRW
National Crime Victims’ Rights Week was the week of April 23-29, 2023. The theme for the week was Survivor Voices: Elevate. Engage. Effect Change. The theme called upon communities to amplify the voices of survivors and create environments where survivors have the confidence that they will be heard, believed, and supported. The OVA hosted two canvas painting events, one in Hartford and the other in Milford, CT, for crime victims to fellowship and share information about the legislative process.
2022 NCVRW
National Crime Victims’ Rights Week was the week of April 24-30, 2022. The theme for the week was Rights | Access |Equity. OVA assisted crime victims in finding their justice by hosting a week-long virtual conference led by crime survivors. Each day of the week, a crime survivor kicked off the day and a service provider closed out the day. The OVA was honored that Cheryl Gomes and Jane Doe No More shared their stories of surviving domestic and sexual violence, and a path forward in the aftermath. The OVA, the CT Alliance to End Sexual Violence, the CT Coalition Against Domestic Violence (CCADV), Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), and Survivors of Homicide conducted workshops or events throughout the week. The OVA also held a viewing of The Amendment - a powerful and inspiring true story of finding triumph over tragedy, injustice, and loss. In 1979, Brooks Douglass and his sister Leslie survived a devastating crime that rocked their community and took their parents’ lives.
