National Crime Victims’ Rights Week

Rochester, NY — The week of April 19–25, 2026 marks the 45th anniversary of National Crime Victims' Rights Week (NCVRW), a time dedicated to honoring crime victims and recognizing the professionals, advocates, and community members who support them. This year’s theme, “Listen. Act. Advocate. Protect Victims, Serve Communities,” underscores the ongoing commitment needed to ensure victims are heard, supported, and treated with dignity and respect.

In recognition of this important week, the Coalition for Crime Victims of Monroe County will host a press conference and resource fair featuring local dignitaries and a broad network of partners. The coalition brings together victim service providers, criminal justice professionals, mental and behavioral health experts, and families and friends of crime victims. We are all united by a shared mission, to ensure that no survivor has to navigate the burden of victimization alone.

Today, more than 32,000 laws nationwide define and protect victims’ rights, reflecting decades of progress driven in large part by survivors themselves. These individuals continue to lead efforts to expand services, strengthen protections, and ensure every victim is treated with compassion and fairness. In spite of this progress, this work remains critical with over 1.2 million victimizations reported in NYS for 2024 alone. Despite the availability of resources, many victims still go unheard, and navigating complex systems can be overwhelming, making ongoing advocacy and trauma- informed care essential to building trust and achieving justice.

The Coalition for Crime Victims of Monroe County invites the community to stand in solidarity with survivors and those who serve them at a Crime Victims’ Rights Week Joint Proclamation presentation on April 15, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. The event will be held at the Sibley Building Atrium, 260 East Main Street in Rochester. This joint proclamation, issued by the City of Rochester and County of Monroe, will officially kick off NCVRW and highlight the vital work being done across the community.

Your presence is greatly appreciated as we come together to show unwavering support, raise awareness, and honor the strength and resilience of crime victims throughout our community.