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Delaware County proclaims April 6–14 National Crime Victims' Rights Week
Summary
The Delaware County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a proclamation declaring April 6–14 National Crime Victims' Rights Week and recognized county victim advocates and law‑enforcement partners for their work supporting survivors.
The Delaware County Board of Commissioners on April 10 unanimously approved a proclamation declaring April 6–14, 2025, National Crime Victims' Rights Week in the county and recognized local victim‑service staff and law enforcement for their work supporting survivors.
The proclamation, read by President Barb Lewis and signed by Commissioners Jeff Benton, Barb Lewis and Gary Merrill, notes the county's efforts "to prevent and respond to crime at every level" and directs display of signs across township lawns and at county buildings to raise awareness during the week.
Prosecutor Schifel, who addressed the commission during the proclamation presentation, said the county's prosecutor's office opened 379 cases involving victims in 2024 and emphasized that many more victims do not come forward. "Cases can have multiple victims, but that's more than 1 case every single day in Delaware County where someone is being victimized," Schifel said. She urged the public and officials to support survivors and to adopt the "Start by Believing" campaign, calling it "an international campaign" that encourages listening to survivors and providing safe avenues to pursue justice: "All you do is you listen to survivors... and provide a safe place for them to pursue their interest through the criminal justice process."
Sheriff Val Hooper, introduced during the remarks, thanked victim services staff as "the unsung heroes behind the scenes" who take over after officers make initial reports. Commissioner Gary Merrill added that the number of people harmed extends beyond direct victims to affected family members and others indirectly affected by crime.
After the remarks the commission voted on Resolution 25‑247 to declare the week and commend volunteers, law enforcement and victim service providers; the motion passed with all commissioners voting aye. The commission and the prosecutor's office posed for a photograph following the vote.
The proclamation text includes a call to "demonstrate kinship by showing compassion and offer support for those who need it most" and thanks volunteers, law enforcement officers and victim service providers for assisting survivors' recoveries.
