Board proclaims April 19–25 as Crime Victims Rights Week; victim‑witness director outlines services

The Westmoreland County Board of Supervisors on April 13 adopted a proclamation recognizing April 19–25, 2026 as National Crime Victims Rights Week and reaffirming support for local victim services.

Sheryl Ramey, director of the Westmoreland County Victim Witness program, told the board the office works closely with the Commonwealth’s attorney’s office, the Westmoreland County Sheriff’s Office and the Colonial Beach Police Department to ensure victims’ rights are met under the Code of Virginia. Ramey said her office is typically the first contact victims receive after law enforcement responds and listed services ranging from advocacy after trespass or DUI incidents to assistance in cases of sexual assault and homicide.

Ramey described recent steps her office has taken to strengthen regional cooperation: she restarted monthly victim‑witness directors’ meetings for the Northern Neck and Essex counties, reinstated child protective services/adult protective services multidisciplinary team meetings, and revived the sexual‑assault response team in March. She also organized regional trainings in March that included VCU clinicians to support Commonwealth’s attorney staff and local responders.

Board members thanked Ramey and emphasized continued funding support. A motion to adopt the proclamation was made and carried by voice vote.

What happens next: the proclamation is on record and the board asked staff to continue close coordination with regional partners to sustain training and services for victims.