Victims rights — for every victim, every time

On April 25, Mayor Barb Ballew joined forces with Green Hills Women’s Shelter, victim service programs, criminal justice officials and concerned citizens to proclaim April 22-28 as National Crime Victims’ Rights Week in Daviess County. 

The ceremony is also being observed across the United States.

The proclamation states that 23 million Americans are victims of crime each year. Of those, 5.2 million are victims of violent crimes.

Despite significant progress in providing rights and services to crime victims over the past two decades, large segments of our population, including crime victims with disabilities, victims with mental illness, victims who are immigrants, victims who are teenagers, victims who are elderly, and victims in rural areas, are still under-served.
The proclamation is to "reaffirm the city of Gallatin’s commitment to respect and enforce victims’ rights and address their needs during Crime Victims’ Rights Week and throughout the year. And to express our appreciation for those victims and crime survivors who have turned personal tragedy into a motivating force to improve our response to victims of crime and build a more just community."

Green Hills Women’s Shelter is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing services for victims of domestic violence. This program provides services to residents of the following Missouri counties: Caldwell, Carroll, Chariton, Daviess, Grundy, Harrison, Linn, Livingston, Mercer, Putnam and Sullivan.

Services Available through the Women’s Shelter:

— Education and preparation for the steps in the criminal justice system.

— Crisis support

— Stress Management Advocacy

— Information about Crime Victim’s Compensation. Missouri has a fund to reimburse residents who have suffered injuries causing financial loss due to certain crimes of violence. To find out if you are eligible for benefits and to file a claim contact Green Hills Women’s Shelter.