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National Crime Victims’ Rights Week

We are proud to join organizations from coast to coast to commemorate National Crime Victimsโ€™ Rights Week (NCVRW) from April 6โ€“12, 2025.ย 

This annual week of awareness is organized by the U.S. Department of Justice Office for Victims of Crime. This year’s theme of KINSHIP is a call to action to recognize that shared humanity should be at the center of supporting all survivors and victims of crime.ย 

MARSY’S LAWย 

In partnership with Marsyโ€™s Law for Kentucky, we will be displaying purple solar lights at our emergency shelter to highlight victimsโ€™ rights.ย Under Kentucky’s Marsy’s Law, crime victims have these constitutional rights:ย 

  • Timely notice of all proceedings.ย 
  • Be heard in any proceeding involving release, plea, sentencing, or consideration of pardon, commutation, granting of reprieve, or other matter involving the right of a victim.ย 
  • Be present at all proceedings, other than Grand Jury proceedings.ย 
  • Consult with the attorney for the Commonwealth or designee.ย 
  • Timely notice of release or escape of the accused.ย 
  • Have their safety and their family’s safety considered in setting bail, the defendant’s release and conditions of release.ย 
  • Fairness and consideration of the victims’ safety, dignity, and privacy.ย 

Visit the Kentucky Office of the Attorney General for more information about Marsy’s Law.

CRIME VICTIM COMPENSATIONย 

Kentucky victims of crimes may also file a claim with the Public Protection Cabinet Office of Claims and Appeals to request payment or reimbursement for expenses related to crimes when no other resources are available. The Crime Victims Compensation Board (CVCB) will consider assistance with these and other expenses related to the crime:ย 

  • Medical expensesโ€ฏย 
  • Relocation and temporary housing expensesโ€ฏย 
  • Loss of earnings resulting from the crimeโ€ฏย 
  • Loss of financial support resultingโ€ฏfrom the crimeโ€ฏย 
  • Lost earnings from bereavement in homicide casesโ€ฏย 
  • Expenses related to court proceedingsโ€ฏย 
  • Emotional support animal expensesโ€ฏย 
  • Reimbursement for items seized by law enforcementโ€ฏย 
  • Tattoo removal for survivors of human traffickingย 

Learn more about filing a claim for Crime Victim Compensation here.

800-544-2022

If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence crimes, our advocates are available 24-hours a day, every day of the year, to support your safety, healing, and rights.

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