United States Attorney’s Office Observes National Crime Victims’ Rights Week

DETROIT, MI - In observance of National Crime Victims' Rights Week (NCVRW), April 19-24, 2026, the United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Michigan, along with the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office and the Detroit Crime Victims' Action Team, will be recognizing crime victims and those who have dedicated their lives to serve and assist victims of crime.

"During National Crime Victims' Right Week, we reaffirm the principle that victims will be heard, respected, and protected. We will prosecute the criminals and defend the vulnerable," said United States Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon, Jr.

"Thank you - all of you - for your collective work restoring dignity, respect, and humanity to people within our state who have been abused, murdered, and victimized. Thank you for keeping the focus on them," said Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy. "Survivors matter. And we must be accountable to them. We cannot just give lip service to victims and public safety. We must mean it. We must be out and bold about it. We must live it."

Since 1981, NCVRW has challenged us to confront and remove barriers to achieving justice for all victims of crime. During NCVRW, we recognize the accomplishments of the victims' rights movement and reflect on how far we have come. This year the theme is LISTEN. ACT. ADVOCATE. Protect Victims, Serve Communities.

Each year in April, the federal Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) leads communities throughout the country in their annual observances of National Crime Victims' Rights Week by raising awareness of victims' rights and honoring crime victims and those who advocate on their behalf.

This year's Crime Victims' Rights Week events will kick off with a Survivor Walk on Sunday, April 19, 2026 @ 10:00 am on Belle Isle. The meeting point is adjacent to the Scott Fountain. The main event will be a community and resource fair on Friday, April 24, 2026 @ 12pm at the Wayne County Criminal Justice Center, 5301 Russel Street, Detroit, MI 48211.

Shauntaye Phillips, the wife of Harold Phillips, a victim of a fatal animal attack, will be the guest speaker and will share her emotional story of how she is using her voice to help others.

Following the event, the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office will be hosting a Wellness Event featuring vendors, food trucks, resources, and more. For additional information about 2026 National Crime Victims' Rights Week activities or about victims' rights and services in Wayne County, please contact Mechelle Donahoo, Director of Victim Services, 313-224-5626 or visit https://www.waynecountymi.gov/Government/Elected-Officials/ProsecutorLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link.

All are welcome to attend this event.

This year marks the 42nd anniversary of the Victims of Crime Act, commonly shortened to VOCA. This act was passed by Congress and signed into law on October 12, 1984. VOCA established the Crime Victims Fund (CVF), a Federal Victim Notification System, discretionary grants for victim service organizations, victim assistance positions in the Department of Justice, financial support for the Children's Justice Act Program, and assistance and compensation for victims and survivors of terrorism.

For more information about how to support all victims of crime, visit OVC's website at https://www.ovc.ojp.govLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link..

The Detroit Crime Victims' Action Team consists of representatives from the following agencies: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; Crime Stoppers of Michigan; Drug Enforcement Administration; Department of Homeland Security; Office of Inspector General; Federal Bureau of Investigation; Michigan Attorney General's Office; U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Michigan; U.S. Postal Inspection Service; and the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office.