Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 04/14/2009

Contact person(s):

Media Coordinator, Terry Menshek - (707) 565-3099 Media Spokesperson, Assistant District Attorney Christine Cook

Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California

25TH ANNIVERSARY OF VICTIMS OF CRIME ACT

Sonoma County District Attorney Stephan Passalacqua announced today that April 26th marks the beginning of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, a time to focus on victims of crime and celebrate our nation’s progress in serving them. This year’s theme, “25 Years of Rebuilding Lives: Celebrating the Victims of Crime Act,” honors a landmark national commitment to victims of crime.

District Attorney Passalacqua stated, “This is a time to celebrate progress in ensuring crime victims’ rights, and also a time to increase public awareness about the many challenges victims face in the aftermath of crime. The devastating impact that crime has in our neighborhoods, our schools, and in our communities affects all of us. We are committed to helping victims not only to participate in court proceedings, but also to become survivors."

Special activities organized by the Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office, community leaders, law enforcement, and victim service organizations include a Forum on Underage Drinking on April 25, 2009, from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon at Santa Rosa Junior College’s Newman Auditorium, and a Victim’s March on April 28, 2009, beginning at 12 noon in front of the County of Sonoma Administration Building.

The purpose of the Forum is to furnish information regarding the dangers of alcohol directly to the youth of our county in an effort to prevent future violence. Featured speaker, Jill Mason, was paralyzed and suffered head injuries when a drunken driver hit her and killed her boyfriend Alan Liu as they rode their bikes along Highway 12 on Easter Sunday five years ago. A panel discussion will follow Jill’s presentation. Parents and youth are encouraged to attend.

The Victim’s March provides the opportunity for families, friends, volunteers, service providers’ staffs, and the entire community to honor the memory of those lost to violence and to pay tribute to those who have triumphed over trauma and pain.

The Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office, in collaboration with public safety and community partners, will conclude National Crime Victims’ Rights Week with its 6th annual Awards Luncheon. The Luncheon will be held on May 4, 2009, from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm at the Santa Rosa Veteran’s Memorial Hall. Attorney General Jerry Brown will give the keynote address. Harriet Salarno, the president of Crime Victims United will be honored at the luncheon.

For more information about National Crime Victims’ Rights Week events and/or requests to receive invitations to the Luncheon please contact Lacey Green at (707) 565-3886 or e-mail us at sc-ncvrw@sonoma-county.org. You may also visit us on the web at http:www.sonoma-county.org/da/events.htm