National Crime Victims’ Rights Week


April 23, 2010

Office for Victim Assistance discusses actions taken to protect the full rights of victims of crimes.


Audio Transcript

Mr. Schiff: Often victims of crimes are not given their full rights. But the federal government cares.

Ms. Turman: “National Crime Victim’s Rights Week was started by the Justice Department a number of years ago to remind America about the plight of crime victims.”

Mr. Schiff: That’s Kathryn Turman at the FBI. She is the Program Director for the FBI’s Victim Assistance program, who says this year’s theme, Fairness-Dignity-Respect, comes from the Crime Victims’ Rights Act.

Ms. Turman: “It requires that all agencies, agency personnel—FBI, DOJ, any agency in the federal government that deals with victims—must treat victims with dignity and respect for their privacy and with fairness.”

Mr. Schiff: Turman says her office is open all day, every day, to handle victims of crimes wherever it happens.

Ms. Turman: “Crimes on Indian Country to the most sophisticated white-collar and fraud crimes and schemes against people.”

Mr. Schiff: More about the Victim Assistance program at FBI.gov. I’m Neal Schiff of the Bureau, and that’s what’s happening at the “FBI, This Week.”

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