Terry Goddard Marks National Victims' Rights Week: April 10 - 16, 2005

(Phoenix, Ariz. – April 8, 2005)  Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard will join the Governor’s Office, Arizona state agencies, local police departments, criminal justice/victim advocacy agencies and the Arizona Criminal Justice Commission Office to commemorate 25th Annual National Victims’ Rights Week in various events throughout the week:

Monday – April 11, 2005
The Victim’s Rights Week Kick Off event will be held on the State Senate Lawn in Phoenix, commemorating this year’s theme: “Justice isn’t served until Crime Victims are.”  This event will honor crime victims, their families and the professionals and volunteers who serve them.  During this dedication, Goddard will present Distinguished Service Awards to six individuals and/or agencies.  These awards are presented in recognition of uncommon commitment, exemplary service and contribution to preserving and protecting victims’ rights to justice and due process, and to improving the treatment of crime victims. 

Goddard will be joined by U.S. Attorney Paul Charlton, Arizona Corrections Department Director Dora Schriro, representatives from the Governor’s Office and Senator Jon Kyl’s Office. The event begins at noon on the Senate Lawn. Monday’s event will feature the ChildHelp USA Mobile Advocacy Center of Northern Arizona, which will be available for tour.  This mobile center provides comprehensive, professional services and state-of-the-art telemedicine technology for the investigation, treatment and prevention of child abuse in rural areas that do not have access to a traditional advocacy center.

Wednesday – April 13, 2005
Attorney General Goddard will dedicate the rose garden in front of the Arizona Attorney General’s Office at 1275 W. Washington Street in Phoenix.  Goddard will honor staff members from the Attorney General’s Office who have significantly contributed to victims’ rights and interests.

Don Logan, Director of Diversity and Dialogue for the City of Scottsdale will be the keynote speaker for this service.  Logan was the victim of a mail bomb sent to the City of Scottsdale in 2004.

Friday – April 15, 2005
Attorney General Goddard will travel to Tucson to mark the end of Victims’ Rights Week and to honor staff members from the Tucson Attorney General’s Office who have significantly contributed to victims’ rights and interests.

Beginning April 11, the City of Phoenix will host a display of victim assistance and criminal justice agencies in the City Hall Atrium.  The display was created to create awareness for crime victim’s rights.

Throughout the week of April 10, the Attorney General’s Office, along with other criminal justice agencies, will collect books and teddy bears which will be donated to children’s shelters located on reservations.  These contributions will be distributed by members of the Department of Corrections and Department of Juvenile Corrections throughout the state.