Cal EMA News Blog

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California Emergency Management Agency Joins in “Reshaping the Future, Honoring the Past” for Victims of Crime Posted: 11 Apr 2011 12:56 PM PDT *The following news release was issued by Cal EMA on Monday, April 11, 2011.* ~2011 National Crime Victims' Rights Week~ SACRAMENTO, Calif. — April 10, 2011, marks the beginning of National Crime Victims' Rights Week, a time to honor victims and the advocates of victims' rights. this year's theme, "Reshaping the Future, Honoring the Past," evokes victims' past struggles and our nation's duty to help them rebuild stronger lives.  In support, the California Emergency Management Agency provides millions in funding and programs each year to those impacted. Today, Acting Secretary Mike Dayton joined with Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr., and State agencies and advocates who are involved in protecting victims of crime at a rally at the State Capitol showing support and unity for California's victims. "We must never forget the voices of those who have become the victims of crime," said Dayton. "One of our most important missions is to provide support to local jurisdictions to enhance services such as crisis intervention, emergency assistance, direct counseling, and support to victims," he said.  "I'm proud of the tireless work of those in our Domestic Violence, Sexual Assualt, and Victim/Witness programs here at Cal EMA and I'm honored to be part of this important mission." Some highlights of Cal EMA's work in victim and witness assistance: Cal EMA's Domestic Violence Section administers more than $35 million annually. 100 domestic violence shelters, 14 law enforcement agencies and 11 district attorney's offices work to provide a coordinated response with the goal of minimizing trauma to the victim and their children.   Domestic Violence shelters provided counseling to 37,415 survivors of domestic violence and answered 89,533 crisis calls. Cal EMA's Rape Crisis Program provided $16.8 million in funding for 84 rape crisis centers throughout California to ensure that services are provided to women, men and child victims of sexual assault. Rape Crisis Centers in California served more than 30,000 survivors of sexual assault, provided 5,538 Community Education Programs to 123,147 participants, and accompanied and supported 6,887 Sexual Assault victims during Forensic Medical Exams. In 2010, California's Victim/Witness Assistance Centers served 177,639 victims of violent crime. Services include crisis intervention, emergency assistance, direct counseling, and support and orientation to the criminal justice system. An additional 100,848 victims were assisted in filing crime victim compensation claims. This year we recall the past and a time, not too many years ago, when victims had no voice in the criminal justice system — when murder victims' families were excluded from courtrooms and assault victims paid all their own medical bills. National Crime Victims' Rights Week honors the victims and advocates who confronted such injustices and helped produce a nationwide system of victim compensation and victims' rights. For more information about Cal EMA programs, visit www.calema.ca.gov. For additional information about the Sacramento Victims' Rights Rally or California's Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board visit www.calvcp.ca.gov. For additional information about National Crime Victims' Rights Week, and how to help victims in your community, please visit http://www.vcgcb.ca.gov/victims/. ###

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