Liberty Co. holds candlelight vigil for Crime Victims

Power behind the badge. Fans examine Mike “Hojo” Hojnacki’s jet-powered police car at the ADRL Dragapalooza held this past Friday and Saturday at Royal Purple Raceway.

LIBERTY COUNTY— The Office of Liberty County District Attorney Mike Little has issued a county-wide invitation to attend the candlelight vigil for crime victims and child abuse victims which will be held on Tuesday, April 12, 2011, at 6:30 p.m. at the Liberty Center, City of Liberty Municipal Complex, 1829 Sam Houston Ave.
The Liberty County District Attorney’s Office, the Liberty County Attorney’s Office, CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, Bridgehaven Children’s Advocacy Center, BACA (Bikers Against Child Abuse), MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving), and New Horizon Family Center are co-sponsoring the vigil.

The purpose of the vigil is to help the public honor victims of crime, their families and those who serve them and to alert the public to the realities of crime, and express hope for a less violent future.
The vigil is a part of the local observance of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, which is scheduled for the week of April 10 to April 16. The theme of Crime Victims’ Rights Week this year is “Reshaping the Future, Honoring the Past.”
This theme will be observed by the Liberty County District Attorney’s Office, the Liberty County Attorney’s Office, CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, Bridgehaven Children’s Advocacy Center, BACA (Bikers Against Child Abuse), MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) and New Horizon Family Center, along with thousands of victim service and allied professional organizations and agencies across the United States. National Crime Victims’ Rights Week will be observed across our nation by victims and survivors and the professionals and volunteers who assist them
This year’s theme – “Reshaping the Future, Honoring the Past” – evokes victims’ past struggles and our Nation’s duty to help them build stronger lives. The past that we honor points to a future when all victims are respected, the laws to protect them are enforced, and the resources they need are in place and accessible to them. Justice demands no less.
Another very important purpose of the vigil is to commemorate Child Abuse Prevention Month which is the month of April. It is a time to focus on ways not only to protect children but also to prevent abuse from occurring. This is your opportunity to make a difference in young lives. It is hoped that this vigil will impress upon everyone that every child is entitled to be loved, cared for, nurtured, and secure and that preventing child abuse is the responsibility of all citizens. Child Abuse Prevention Month is an opportunity to highlight the role we all can play to support parents and families.
District Attorney Mike Little encourages all people in our area to join all people in America in the commemoration of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week and Child Abuse Prevention Month. “Nobody wants to be a victim of violence and, when a crime occurs, those who are victimized need to be aware that they have rights within our criminal justice system and that there are many services to assist them in coping with the victimization,” Little explained.
For additional information call Kathy Lowe at the Liberty County District Attorney’s Office 936/336-4611.