District attorney honors victims’ rights week

Fifth District Attorney Mack Lancaster announces that April 19 marks the beginning of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, a time to honor victims and the advocates of victim’s rights.

Every year, millions of people’s lives are forever changed by crime.  They are our families, neighbors, friends, and colleagues.   This is National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, a time to reach out and help crime victims rebuild their lives.  This year’s theme Engaging Communities, Empowering Victims provides an opportunity to highlight  the diversity of  our communities, expand partnerships to serve victims of crime, enhance efforts to meet victims where they are, and empower crime victims as they pursue justice and recovery.

“Victim empowerment is a central tenant of our work,” said Joye E. Frost, director, Office for Victims of Crime,  U.S. Department of Justice.  “By engaging the entire community, we are able to maximize and leverage existing resources to better serve all victims of crime and provide the necessary support through  their journey to healing.  This year’s National Crime Victims’ Rights Week theme emphasizes that we all have a role to play.”

According to Lancaster, “During the past year the Fifth District Victim Assistance Program has had approximately one thousand contacts with victims of crime.  

“A total of 69 victims registered with the victims’ assistance program.  We keep victims notified of upcoming court dates of the accused, accompany victims to court, and work with extended families who are victims of violent crimes. 

“We refer sexual assault and domestic abuse violence victims to the Wellspring and other agencies for counseling and, also, cooperate with agencies such as MADD, in cases involving alcohol and drug related vehicular crimes. 

“We regularly review Parole and Pardon Dockets, and Risk Review Dockets, and our Victims Assistance Coordinator contacts victim’s and victims’ families for their input into upcoming parole hearings.”

Lancaster further stated the Crime Victim Reparations Fund is also available to injured victims of crime which involve force and to dependents of a homicide victim.  Applications may be made through the sheriff’s office for certain our of pocket expenses, as well as emergency grants, to cover medical expenses, funeral, and travel expenses.

Debra Colson now serves as Victim Assistance Coordinator of the Fifth Judicial District. Colson joined our staff last November as the victim officer upon the retirement of Carol Mulhern who served for the past 15 years.  Colson has vast experience with the court systems, how it works, and the impact of crime on victims through her many years as an employee of the Richland Parish Clerk’s Office. 

She  may be reached in the District Attorney Offices, including, Winnsboro (435-3386), Oak Grove (428-3213) and Rayville (728-3166) or in the Victim Assistance Office (728-7400). 

“Any member of the public or any victim of crime may contact my office at any time and we will assist them with victim information, and consult with them about the status of any case involving victims pending in our office,” Colson  said.