Shante' Brown, Deputy Secretary of Child Development and Early Learning | Pennsylvania Department Of Education
In recognition of National Crime Victims' Rights Week, the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) and Office of Victim Advocate collaborated with statewide advocacy organizations to emphasize the significance of supporting crime survivors, raising awareness of their rights, and Governor Shapiro's proposed financial allocation of $9 million to the Victims Compensation Assistance Program (VCAP) in the upcoming 2025-26 state budget.
National Crime Victims' Rights Week is an annual observance that stresses the necessity of ensuring crime victims receive adequate support, protection, and justice. Statistics from last year reveal that over 323,000 individuals in Pennsylvania fell victim to various crimes including domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, gun violence, human trafficking, and homicide.
"Ensuring that victims are informed, respected, and supported throughout their healing journey is our top priority. No crime victim should have to worry about paying for medical care, no family should face the stress of funeral costs, and no survivor of sexual assault should have to choose between healing and financial hardship," said Kathy Buckley, Director of PCCD's Office of Victims' Services. "This week is about making sure victims know their rights-including their right to financial support to help through some of their most difficult times."
Speakers at the event included Kathy Buckley, Director of the Office of Victims' Services at PCCD; Suzanne Estrella, Pennsylvania Victim Advocate; Rebecca Buckham, Communications Manager at Children's Advocacy Centers of PA (PennCAC); Gabriella Romeo, Public Policy Director at PA Coalition to Advance Respect (PCAR); and Jenna Mehnert Baker, Policy Director at PA Coalition Against Domestic Violence (PCADV).
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