For Immediate Release
April 8, 2011
Sandra Matheson, Director, Office of Victim/Witness Assistance
(Concord, New Hampshire) – Governor John Lynch and Attorney General Michael Delaney will join crime victims and professionals who work to provide them with services and support, to observe 2011 National Crime Victim Rights Week. It is a time to build public awareness about the challenges crime victims face, and to celebrate the hard-won progress in victim rights and services in New Hampshire.
A press conference will be held at 11:00 am in the Parish Hall of St. Paul's Church at Park Street in Concord (next to the State House). Moving displays, including the victims' memorial quilts and a depiction of "10 Years of New Hampshire Homicides" will be set up. The parents of homicide victim Melissa Charbonneau, John and Claire Cantin, will be honored for their work on behalf of victims and their advocacy on creating and passing the New Hampshire strangulation statute.
The Clothesline Project, sponsored by the AmeriCorps Victim Assistance Program, will be unveiled on the state house lawn. The Project highlights the pain and healing experienced by survivors of domestic and sexual violence.
At 5:30 pm, a Memorial Service to pay tribute to all those who have been traumatized by violent crime will be held at St. Paul's Church.
Attorney General Michael Delaney said, "This is a time for us to pay tribute to those citizens who have been impacted by violent crime and to promote the rights of crime victims and the expansion of services and support to assist them in rebuilding their lives. Please join us as we pay tribute to the strength and courage of those New Hampshire citizens who have been victimized and to those that work to ensure their rights are protected."
For additional information, please contact: Sandra Matheson, Director, Office of Victim/Witness Assistance, Attorney General's Office (603) 271-3671.
New Hampshire Department of Justice | 33 Capitol Street | Concord, NH | 03301