U.S. Attorney’s Office Organizes Symposium to Kick Off National Crime Victims’ Rights Week

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Each April, the Justice Department's Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) leads communities nationwide in observing National Crime Victims' Rights Week (NCVRW). This year, NCVRW will be observed April 19-25, 2026.

To commemorate NCVRW, the U.S. Attorneys' Office for the Western District of North Carolina hosted a symposium in Charlotte this week, focused on promoting resilience for service providers and victim advocates, and on strengthening collaboration, sharing resources, and building partnerships among professionals who serve crime victims.

NCVRW began in 1981 to honor crime victims, promote victims' rights, and recognize those who work with and advocate on behalf of crime victims. The observance also highlights policies, programs, and partnerships that support victims on their path to healing and recovery. This year's NCVRW theme is "Listen, Act, Advocate."

"Our victims and their families motivate everything we do," said U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson. "While our cases often make the news, a lot of what we do is connecting victims to services. No one expects to be the victim of a crime; no one plans for it - victims often don't know where to turn. In gratitude to the service providers we so often rely upon, this year we focused on them - people who spend so much time caring for others, they forget to care for themselves."

U.S. Attorney's Office Victim Witness Unit Personnel with U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson

Victim Service Providers and Advocates with Area Organizations

More than 50 victim advocates, health care professionals, legal services providers, mental health practitioners, non-profit organizations, and members of the faith community attended the symposium. Participants engaged in discussions on trauma-informed care and ways to enhance coordinated responses to better serve victims of crime.

"When we invest in those who serve crime victims, we strengthen the safety of our communities," said U.S. Attorney Ferguson. "A coordinated, victim-centered response, not only helps us restore justice for victims of crime but also builds trust and improves a holistic response to crime."

Additional information about the U.S. Attorney's Office Victim/Witness Assistance Program can be found here.