Dover – Governor John Carney has signed a proclamation officially declaring the week of April 19-25, as National Crime Victim’s Rights week. It is a time to honor those who have been impacted by crime and to remember those who have lost their lives as a result of a criminal act, to include first responders who were killed in the line of duty.

In addition to the victims who have been personally impacted by violent crime we also want to use this week as an opportunity to give thanks to those individuals who provide outstanding service to the victims and their families on a daily basis.

Victims often experience many unfamiliar emotions such as: shock, disbelief, anger, fear, frustration, or guilt. Victims may be immobilized by the feeling that their lives will never be the same. Although these feelings are very normal, victims who are in a state of emotional crisis often are unable to work through these feelings on their own. They may not have the resources to seek professional assistance or may not know where to seek such support. Victims and their families may suffer financially, physically and emotionally. These Victim Service Specialists are prepared to assist victims, witnesses and families with these issues.

 This year’s theme—Seek Justice | Ensure Victims’ Rights | Inspire Hope—recognizes the individuals and groups whose advocacy has propelled the victims’ rights movement forward for the past half century, inspiring in victims and their loved ones a feeling of hope for progress, justice, and healing.

 The Delaware State Police Victim Services unit, comprised of civilian employees and assisted by specially trained sworn Troopers, provide 24 hour crisis intervention, information and referral to not only the Delaware State Police, but also to over 30 municipal departments statewide.  They assist over 4,000 victims a year and respond to approximately 1,000 hotline calls. Their commitment and dedication is unsurpassed as they continually strive to provide the best service possible in an effort to ensure positive outcomes for the victims they serve. In further recognition of the level of service being provided by our victim advocates, Senior Victim Service Specialist Corrie Schmitt, was selected as the 2019 Delaware State Police Civilian of the Year.

In addition to the specialists themselves another integral part of this victim advocacy team are the tele-communications specialists at DSP Communications who triage hundreds of calls to the 24 hour victim hotline (1-800-VICTIM-1).

If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of crime or have lost a loved one to a sudden death and are in need of assistance, the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit/Delaware Victim Center is available to offer you support and resources 24 hours a day through a toll free hotline 1800 VICTIM-1. (1800 842-8461).  You may also email the unit Director at debra.reed@state.de.us.

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Michael Austin

Released:042120 0915

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