Tying different colored ribbons to a tree to remember victims of crimes is an annual event across the nation, including in Anchorage, during National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, April 18-24. The focus on victims is an opportunity to review and evaluate how victims’ rights are being observed, and what changes still need to happen. (Photo courtesy of Victims for Justice, Alaska.)

One week in the month of April 2021, the 18th-24th, is set aside to remember victims of violent crimes in communities across the United States. In Anchorage, Victims for Justice, an organization that advocates for victims, will share its annual ribbon-tying ceremony at Hostetler Park in downtown Anchorage on social media platforms. The event is somber. Each ribbon is a victim remembered.

Different colored ribbons represent the victims of different types of crimes. Black ribbons refer to homicides; yellow to kidnapping; purple to domestic violence; teal for sexual assault; navy blue for human trafficking; orange for assault; white for hate crimes; light blue for child abuse; green for robbery; red for drunken driving; red, white and blue for crimes against those in uniform.

On today’s Justice Alaska, three organizations that work to help victims of crime navigate the justice system and receive the full authority of their victims’ rights will offer details on the history of the movement, the current status for victims, and a look toward what change still needs to happen.

As always, your questions and comments are welcome throughout the program. Please join us for this community conversation on understanding victims’ rights.

HOSTS: Kathleen McCoy and Elaine Andrews

GUEST:

• Victoria Shanklin, Executive Director, Victims for Justice
• Erin Terry, FBI Anchorage Victim Specialist
• Tami Truett Jerue, Executive Director, Alaska Native Women’s Resource Center

LINKS:

• Victims for Justice website
• 2021 Victims Service Awards Nominations open through March 31, webpage details
• Alaska Native Women’s Resource Center website
• FBI Victims Assistance Program, PDF
• History of the establishment of the FBI Victim Assistance Program, webpage
• National Crime Victims’ Rights Week webpage
• Crime Victims’ Rights, US Department of Justice, webpage
• Pilot Project Launched to address Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons, press release from the Alaska District U.S. Attorney’s Office, Feb. 8, 2021
• State of Alaska, Office of Victims’ Rights, an agency of the Alaska Legislature, webpage
• Alaska Criminal Justice Commission 2020 Annual Report, Oct. 30, 2020. See pages 3-8 for current analysis of issues and recommendations to improve victims experience with the criminal justice system.

PARTICIPATE:

• Call 550-8433 (Anchorage) or 1-888-353-5752 (statewide) during the live broadcast (2:00 – 3:00pm)
• Send e-mail to [email protected] before, during or after the live broadcast (e-mails may be read on air)
• Post your comment or question below (comments may be read on air
• LIVE: Monday, March 29, 2021 at 10 a.m.
• RE-AIR: Monday, March 29, 2021 at 8:00 p.m.