Cass County Prosecutor Victor A. Fitz announced that this year’s Crime Victims’ Rights Week takes place this week, beginning Monday.

This year’s theme is “serving victims, building trust, restoring hope.”

The Cass County Community will once again join forces to promote service, trust and hope. Prosecutors, elected officials, area schools, students, law enforcement, representatives of the judicial system and other citizens will take part in the 2016 celebration of victim empowerment in Cass County.

“Serving victims, building trust, restoring hope,” provides an opportunity to reinforce Cass County’s victim-centered approach. Engaging the entire community helps the prosecutor’s office reach as many victims as possible and expand options for services.

The 2016 Cass County effort includes:

 

Grade school artwork

A display of grade school student artwork will run from Monday through Friday at the Cass County Law & Courts Building, Cassopolis. The artwork is part of the annual student competition for the “Going to Court” booklet provided to youthful crime victims as part of their courtroom preparation.

 

Flagpole ceremony

The annual flagpole ceremony will be at noon Wednesday in front of the Cass County Law & Courts Building, Cassopolis. This is a time for family members and the community to remember loved ones who were lost to crimes of violence. At the ceremony, the victims’ names are read aloud and a flower is placed by a memorial dedicated to their memory.

 

Victim waiting room open house

A reception will take place immediately following the flagpole ceremony, hosted by Fitz. This year the reception will take place in the prosecutor’s office.  At that time light refreshments are served and there will be a tour of the newly furnished victim room. This room is now warm and inviting so that the victims can be comfortable as they wait to testify.

 

Essay contest luncheon

The winners of the Second Annual High School Essay Contest will have lunch with Judge Susan Dobrich on at noon. The essays are themed around the victim’s rights theme.

 

Book cover contest

Winners and finalists of the eighth annual grade school “Going to Court Book Cover Contest” will be announced during the Cass County Board of Commissioners Meeting scheduled for Thursday, April 21, at 7 p.m. at the Historic Courthouse. The competition is sponsored by Prosecutor Fitz’s Crime Victim Unit. This booklet helps child witnesses and victims as they prepare for their court proceedings.

Community members are encouraged to help victims of crime by contacting the victims’ rights unit at (269) 445-4460.