Walk honors victims of crime

Nevada Daily Mail

For the 18th year, the Vernon County Domestic Violence Task Force organized a ceremony and walk in honor of National Crime Victims' Rights Week, April 19-25, and the millions of people who become victims of crime in the United States annually.

The Monday evening walk started at Dr. Warren Lovinger's office and ended at the courthouse, with participants carrying signs while some wore shirts honoring victims of crime. The Nevada Police Department and Vernon County Ambulance District provided an escort, while the Vernon County Sheriff's Office and the Missouri State Highway Patrol also participated.

Upon reaching the courthouse, participants were given an opportunity to place flowers at the base of a tree in honor of crime victims they have known.

"Crimes can touch the lives of anyone," presiding commissioner Joe Hardin read from the proclamation stating Vernon County's involvement in crime victims' rights week.

The theme of NCVRW this year was "Engaging Communities. Empowering Victims." Guest speaker Becky Vermeire, executive director of a crisis center and friend of Martha Sander, executive director of Council of Families in Crisis and the Moss House, said it is important that the community become involved in supporting crime victims.

"Together, we will engage our community and empower all victims," Vermeire said. "Every person... has the right to be treated with respect."

Sander said residents can get involved by volunteering at different crisis centers such as the Moss House or the Children's Center or by just being a supportive friend to victims. Vermeire said their goal is "Restoration: the replacement or giving back of something that was lost."

Near the end of the ceremony, Sander read a list of victims from Vernon County or those related to county residents. Each on the list, ranging from unborn or young children to older victims, had died as a result of crime.

"These are members of our community," Sander pointed out. "Millions of people become victims, some never get to tell their story... We must all do something because we must never let silence be our leader."

Sander said six more people were added to that list this year as more residents or family members became victims of crime.

"All of these people were robbed of years of their life to give to their family and to the community," Sander said. "There is no answer to the question "Why?"

The ceremony concluded after a benediction by Pastor Bill Platt of First Christian Church, who said his wife was a victim of crime and persevered only through forgiving him who wronged her, and with a candlelight memorial.