Atlanta, GA — The Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC) kicked off National Crime Victims’ Rights Week with a ceremony in Forsyth County on Monday, April 8th. The ceremony highlighted this year’s national theme—Honoring Our Past. Creating Hope for the Future.—and encouraged commemoration, honor, and respect toward Georgia crime victims and those who support them.

The event brought together victims, service providers, and stakeholders from across the state. As one of the first speakers, Forsyth County Sheriff Ron Freeman welcomed everyone and led the full room in a prayer. Governor Brian Kemp’s Deputy Press Secretary, Alex Beyer, was present on behalf of Governor and First Lady Kemp to deliver a proclamation declaring April 7 – 13, 2019 Crime Victims’ Rights Week in Georgia. A copy of the proclamation is available here. Attorney General Chris Carr highlighted human trafficking. The keynote address was made by Mrs. Ria Story. Story is a national motivational and leadership speaker who also shared her story about being a survivor of human trafficking, encouraging those in attendance to never doubt that “what [they] do brings hope” to those who need it most.

CJCC Executive Director, Jay Neal, shared the agency’s vision of the future as “a Georgia where criminal justice and victim service programs are just, accessible, and compassionate” to all who encounter them and reiterated the gratitude the agency feels toward all its partners serving victims in their local communities every single day.

The event ended with a moment of reflection for Georgia crime victims and the playing of an impact video by CJCC grant recipients. In the video, service providers and recipients of CJCC grant funding shared how the work they are doing is impacting victims, as well as their hope for even more inclusive and accessible services in the future. A copy of the video can be viewed here.

CJCC is grateful to the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office and Board of Commissioners for being wonderful hosts of this event. Their excellent hospitality and unparalleled professionalism contributed to a perfect start to Crime Victims’ Rights Week in Georgia.

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About the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC)

Created by the Georgia General Assembly in 1981 as an Executive Branch agency, the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC) represents the culmination of many efforts to establish a statewide body that would build consensus and unity among the State's diverse and interdependent, criminal justice system components. For more information visit the CJCC website: https://cjcc.georgia.gov/.

Samantha Wolf – Communications and External Affairs Director | Atlanta | 404.657.1958