The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Tennessee announced on Apr. 20 its participation in National Crime Victims' Rights Week, joining the Department of Justice's Office for Victims of Crime and the Executive Office for United States Attorneys to highlight this year's theme: "Listen. Act. Advocate. Protecting victims, serve communities.”
National Crime Victims' Rights Week is intended to draw attention to the needs and rights of crime victims, as well as to honor those who support them throughout the legal process.
In 2024, there were an estimated 6.7 million violent victimizations among persons age 12 or older in the United States, which includes crimes such as rape or sexual assault, robbery, aggravated assault, and simple assault, according to a Bureau of Justice Statistics report. The Executive Office for United States Attorneys reported that in fiscal year 2025, victim witness professionals across all U.S. Attorney’s Offices contacted victims more than 513,000 times regarding services and court updates; asset forfeiture personnel contributed nearly $331 million in forfeited funds granted to victims; and Financial Litigation Programs collected over $1 billion in restitution from criminal defendants.
D. Michael Dunavant said: "Victims of crime deserve to be treated with respect, dignity, compassion, and sensitivity in the criminal justice system. At the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Tennessee, we are committed to providing victims with the highest level of support, protection, and assistance during the often difficult and confusing legal court process. Achieving justice for victims and protecting their rights is our highest duty and we are honored to participate in the National observance of this special week to honor victims and victim advocates." The office employs experienced victim witness professionals who listen to victims’ stories and answer questions; financial litigation teams work diligently on asset recovery; while Assistant U.S. Attorneys advocate daily for crime victims’ rights under federal law.
The U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee advances community safety through federal law enforcement efforts according to its official website. It is one of ninety-three offices under the Department of Justice according to its official website, handling prosecutions of federal crimes as well as defending civil matters involving the United States according to its official website. The office serves all parts of western Tennessee according to its official website from locations in Memphis and Jackson according to its official website, operating as a federal prosecutorial entity since its origins dating back to 1803 according to its official website.
For more information about National Crime Victims’ Rights Week or resources available for crime victims locally or nationally visit https://ovc.ojp.gov/.
