Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin will join U.S. Attorney Peter Neronha, General Treasurer Gina Raimondo, Providence Mayor Angel Taveras, Rhode Island State Police Colonel Steven G. O'Donnell, Providence Police Commissioner Steven Pare, Department of Corrections Director AT Wall, and others on Wednesday, April 9, 2014, at the annual Victims' Grove Ceremony to honor individuals and organizations committed to providing support and resources for victims. The public and media are welcome to attend.
The ceremony is scheduled to take place at 12:30 p.m. in Memorial Park on South Main Street in Providence. Following a short speaking program, the honorees will lay a wreath in memory of all victims of crimes. The public and media are welcome to attend.
April 6 – April 12, 2014 is National Crime Victims' Rights Week, a time to honor victims and advocates of victims' rights. This year we mark an important milestone in the rights of victims. This year's theme - 30 Years: Restoring the Balance of Justice - honors the extraordinary achievements that have been made on behalf of crime victims since the passage of the Victims of Crime Act in 1984.
The 2014 honorees are:
Anna Przyjemska Currently working as a prevention fellow a the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration who is working towards getting her Master of Public Health, Anna also served as victim advocate through her volunteer work at Day One and its helpline for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. She also volunteers as a head coach for Girls on the Run, a non-profit prevention program for girls in the 3rd to 8th grade.
Scott Simmons Scott, who passed away unexpectedly, is being honored for his unwavering and outstanding dedication and service to victims of crime. Scott served as an advocate with Family Service of Rhode Island, the Providence Police Go Team, the Rhode Island Parole Board Victims Advocate, and as the Program Manager for the Rhode Island State Victim Assistance Academy.
Dana Smith, Head of Security Operations for RI Superior Court Dana is responsible for courthouse security and operations and as such provides effective courtroom management so that victims and witnesses who attend court proceedings have a positive experience during what can be a highly emotionally charged environment. He often meets with AG Victim Services staff in order to address safety issues or concerns prior to a court event. He will often take a moment to sit with a victim or witness who may be experiencing difficulty or may be anxious about going into a courtroom setting to allay their fears or address concerns.
The Rhode Island Division of Sheriffs The Rhode Island Division of Sheriffs provides the highest level of services to the Rhode Island Judiciary and Rhode Island Criminal Justice System while maintaining the greatest degree of integrity, impartiality, and confidentiality; treats all individuals with the utmost respect, dignity, and fairness; works with the Department of Corrections and all law enforcement agencies in a spirit of cooperation to protect and provide security for all who enter the Rhode Island Courts while maintaining the highest degree of professionalism and decorum.
Rebecca Flores and the Natasha Love Foundation After Rebecca's daughter Natasha was murdered in 2008 in a senseless act of teen violence, Rebecca founded the Natasha Love Foundation in her daughter's memory with a mission to promote peace and unity through the arts. The Foundation provides scholarships to young women interested in pursuing a career in the arts.