Since 1981, National Crime Victims’ Rights Week is a time to renew our commitment to serving all victims of crime, to acknowledge the achievements in victim services and allied professions, to honor those who have gone above and beyond in their service to others, and to remember crime victims and survivors.

Each year, memorial services mark the beginning of Maryland’s observance of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week and feature inspirational speakers, musical performances, and quiet reflection. Family members and advocate volunteers read the names of over 4,000 Maryland homicide, vehicular manslaughter, and missing crime victims.

This year’s theme: How Would You Help? Options, services, and hope for crime survivors.

The 2024 theme asks all of us—friends, family members, neighbors, colleagues, community leaders, victim service providers, criminal justice practitioners, and health professionals—how we can help crime victims. Are you prepared if someone confides in you about a victimization? Is your organization victim-centered and trauma-informed? Are you familiar with the services available in your community?

This year’s theme is a call-to-action for us all to create safe environments for crime victims to share what happened to them. By doing so, we’re able to offer support, options for life-saving services, and, most importantly, hope.

Join the Office of Victim Services and victim service providers, allied professionals, and community members throughout the Nation as, together, we commemorate NCVRW.

The 34th Annual Maryland Statewide Crime Victim Memorial Service will be on Sunday, April 21, 2024.