THOMASVILLE — A Thursday morning ceremony at the Thomas County Courthouse will bring recognition to local crime victims.

The 11 a.m. event marks the community’s annual observance of National Crime Victims Rights Week, first declared by U.S. President Ronald Reagan 26 years ago.

“Anyone who has ever been a victim of a crime — or close to someone who has been victimized — is important. We want to let them know they are important,” said Karen Bishop, victim advocate in the Thomasville office Southern Judicial Circuit District Attorney David Miller.

Ray Auman, Thomasville-based senior assistant district attorney, will speak Thursday.

Also, Faye Duncan, a shooting victim, will speak.

Duncan was working as a clerk at a convenience store on Carroll Hill when a man entered the business on a Sunday night in late 2001 and shot her in the jaw.

Duncan, who has undergone many surgeries to restore her jaw, is eager to talk about her experience and to instill courage in other crime victims.

Bishop said crime victims and survivors nationwide will join together this week to promote victims rights and services and to educate the public about the devastating impact of crime.

“Neighborhoods, schools and the nation also are crime victims,” Bishop explained.

The ceremony here and others throughout the nation this week will pay tribute to crime victims and survivors who, for many decades, have joined together in mutual support and advocacy.

“We want to ensure that all victims are aware of their rights and have access to the many community- and justice-based services that can help them in the aftermath of crime,” Bishop said.

Community services provide crime victims with crisis intervention, counseling, support, safety planning and advocacy throughout the justice process.

Bishop said a state compensation program helps individuals recover from the many costs associated with being a crime victim.



Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 220.