***MEDIA ADVISORY***
CHARLESTON, W.Va. - The United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of West Virginia, along with federal, state and local advocates of crime victims’ rights, will host an opening ceremony in recognition of National Crime Victims' Rights Week on Monday, April 3, 2017, at 11:00 A.M. in the Robert C. Byrd United States Courthouse in Charleston.
The ceremony will feature officials working in the criminal justice system, agencies and organizations providing services to crime victims, and crime victims themselves who can speak firsthand to their experience. As part of the event, there will be a presentation of the 2016 Excellence in Victim Advocacy and Justice Awards to Corporal Anthony Craigo of the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office and Certified Victim Advocate Sarah Kingston of the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office. Crime Victim Survivor Joyce Richmond will also receive the 2017 Special Courage Award.
This ceremony marks the 17th Annual Operation Reach Out event. Operation Reach Out is a collaborative group of federal, state and local agencies and organizations that work to raise awareness about the rights, protections, and services available to crime victims in West Virginia. This event is being held in conjunction with the nationwide observance of National Crime Victims' Rights Week, which begins on April 2 and runs through April 8, 2017. The theme of National Crime Victims' Rights Week this year is "Strength. Resilience. Justice."
WHO:
* United States Attorney Carol Casto
* Joyce Richmond, Crime Victim Survivor, Recipient of the 2017 Special Courage Award
* Corporal Anthony Craigo, Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, Recipient of the 2017 Excellence in Victim Advocacy and Justice Award
* Certified Victim Advocate Sarah Kingston, Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office, Recipient of the 2017 Excellence in Victim Advocacy and Justice Award
* Operation Reach Out committee members
* Other federal, state and local officials
* Staff representing the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of West Virginia
WHAT:
* Operation Reach Out Opening Ceremony for National Crime Victims’ Rights Week
WHERE:
* Robert C. Byrd United States Courthouse - Fifth Floor
* 300 Virginia Street, East
Charleston, WV 25301
WHEN:
* Monday, April 3, 2017, at 11:00 A.M. The ceremony will be immediately followed by a brief reception.
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Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
