BEATRICE – It’s National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, April 19th through the 25th. 


Beatrice and Gage County employ a crime victims advocate, whose office works with crime victims as they see cases that have affected them, work through the justice system.


Kerri McGrury is Crime Victims’ Rights Coordinator for the city and county…and says some activities will be going on during the week.
"You may see some billboards around Gage County and some displays that are set up in public places".


Last year, the local office provided services to about 900 victims, representing over ten-thousand individual services such as emotional support, safety planning and personal advocacy, including meetings with the county attorney’s office or accompanying a crime victim to court proceedings.


"We provide them information about the criminal case that they might be involved with...explain their rights to them, and how the criminal justice system works. We also can do followup contacts with people, just to keep them advised of cases that might not necessarily have resulted in an arrest. We offer compensation assistance to people, and victims and survivors that need financial assistance. We offer transportation to victims if they need to go to court, or a meeting. And, also, protection order service assistance".


This year’s theme is “Seek Justice, Ensure Rights, Inspire Hope”, for crime victims.