National Crime Victims' Rights Week, observed the week of April 22-27, 2012 was a time to honor crime victims and our nation's progress in advancing their rights.  This year's theme, Extending the Vision: Reaching Every Victim, celebrated the visions behind the progress and the ideal of serving all victims of crime.

Each community encourages its members to participate in events that support victims of crime.  This year, the KDOC Office of Victim Services, The Office of Attorney General Derek Schmidt and the Kansas Organization for Victim Assistance (KOVA), joined together to co-sponsor a Courage Walk around the Capitol to remember those who have been victims of crime. The Walk was followed by the "Voices of Victims" rally, in which several victims of crime shared their own stories of courage.  Participating agencies held a Wipe Out the Violence Fundraiser in which $3,475.22 was collected as well as paper and hygiene products for local shelters.  Special commendation goes to the staff at El Dorado Correctional Facility for raising a total of $1,064 in support of two local charities.  The products and money were divided among local organizations in the areas that participated.  The organizations that received funds and/or products include:

Alliance Against Family Violence - provides comprehensive services to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and/or stalking for the Leavenworth County area.

Cowley County Safe Homes, Inc. - provides operation of the 24-hour crisis line for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, and non-residential services such as crisis counseling and advocacy.

Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Association of Central Kansas - a non-profit organization dedicated to the task of helping women, children and men who suffer from forms of domestic and sexual violence.

The Family Crisis Center, Inc - in Great Bend - provides advocacy and services to all survivors of domestic and sexual violence while encouraging social change through education.

Family Life Center (Safehouse) - provides comprehensive services to victims of domestic violence, child abuse and sexual assault/abuse, with special attention to each client's individual needs in Butler County,

LifeHouse Child Advocacy Center - by bringing together representatives from different agencies, the Center creates a child-friendly, safe place where child victims can be heard and understood and the healing process can begin.

Safehouse Crisis Center, Inc - a non-profit agency that provides comprehensive services to victim of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking in Southeast Kansas.

Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Center, Inc. - provides confidential, non-judgmental support to victims of sexual assault and domestic violence, and their families and friends. The Center serves Reno, McPherson, Rice, Kingman, Harper, and Marion Counties.

Sunlight Children's Advocacy and Rights Foundation (SCARF) - established in 2004 to better address the needs of children in Butler County in regards to child abuse and neglect.

The Crisis Center, Inc. - serving victims of domestic abuse and sexual assault in Clay, Geary, Marshall, Pottawatomie, and Riley Counties since 1979. They provide a number of comprehensive services to victims in rural areas of Kansas.

YWCA Center for Safety and Empowerment - established in 1977, serves victims of domestic and sexual violence in Shawnee, Jackson, Osage, and Wabaunsee Counties.

YWCA of Wichita - the YWCA Women's Crisis Center has successfully been providing shelter, advocacy and supportive services for women and children fleeing violent homes since 1976.

The Kansas Department of Corrections Office of Victim Services thanks everyone who participated including Members of KOVA, the Office of Attorney General Derek Schmidt, El Dorado Correctional Facility, Ellsworth Correctional Facility, Lansing Correctional Facility, Larned Correctional Mental Health Facility, Northern Parole Region, Southern Parole Region, Topeka Correctional Facility, Wichita Work Release, and the KDOC Central Office.