U.S. Department of Justice
Office of Justice Programs
Office for Victims of Crime
Washington, D.C. 20531

January 1, 2001

Dear Colleague:

For many years, victim service providers, justice professionals, and community
volunteers have joined forces to promote justice and safety for all. This year,
during the 21st commemoration of National Crime Victims' Rights Week, April
22 to 28, we have the opportunity to continue our efforts to shed light on the
plight of crime victims and encourage community support to meet victims'
needs.

This year's theme, "Victims' Rights: Reach for the Stars," exhorts us to set our
sights high in providing comprehensive, quality services to victims of crime,
holding offenders accountable for their actions, and engaging individuals and
communities in crime prevention and public safety initiatives. Our discipline's
longstanding history of strong and consistent advocacy for crime victims, often
in the face of adversity, is something to both celebrate and continue not only
during this special week, but in years to come.

Since the Crime Victims Fund was established, nearly $4.5 billion has been
collected for deposit from fines, penalties, and forfeited bail bonds paid by
convicted federal offenders. These funds, not taxpayer dollars, are used to
support federal, state, and local programs that provide essential services for
over two million crime victims in a time of need. They establish training,
technical assistance, and demonstration programs that benefit thousands of
community- and system-based professionals who assist victims of crime, and
provide services and technical assistance to victim advocates who serve Native
Americans. They help give victims the voice they need and deserve.

During 2001 National Crime Victims' Rights Week, over 10,000 victim service
and allied professional organizations will sponsor public education and
community outreach efforts to focus attention on victims' rights, needs, and
services. This Resource Guide, which was developed by the Victims'
Assistance Legal Organization (VALOR) with support from the Office for
Victims of Crime, is designed to help you plan commemorative activities in your
community and state and to aid you in promoting victims' rights and services
throughout the year.

Let us hope that others in our communities and across our nation will join us in
our work to ensure the continued fair treatment of victims. The staff of the
Office for Victims of Crime and I salute you for all you do.

Sincerely,

Kathryn M. Turman
Director