Remembering Local Victims during National Rights Week

Remembering Local Victims during National Rights Week

POMEROY, Ohio – The annual display of shoes representing victims in Meigs County of crime has returned to the Pomeroy parking lot in recognition of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week.

According to a statement from Meigs County Prosecuting Attorney James Stanley, “April 19-25, 2020 is National Crime Victims’ Rights Week. Meigs County had 461 new victims of crime in 2019 who were served through the Meigs County Victims Assistance Program. Of those victims, 82 were children, 143 were males, and 236 were females. This week, we wish to honor these victims through our annual shoe display. Walking along the Pomeroy Parking Lot, citizens will notice shoes representing each crime a victim faced in 2019. Aside from this, our annual homicide memorial, displayed at the main gazebo, will allow our community to remember and honor those whose lives were cut short by crime.”

Each shoe represents a victim of crime in Meigs County. Photo by Carrie Rose.

Additionally, April is also National Child Abuse Prevention Month and Sexual Assault Awareness Month. “In Meigs County, 82 children faced abuse/neglect in 2019 and are honored through our shoe display, however, it’s important to also report that the Department of Jobs and Family Services received an estimated 462 reports of child abuse/neglect. In 2019, 35 children and 2 adults were victims of sexual assault in Meigs County. We hope that through community awareness events such as National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, we can help put a halt to these crimes and reduce the number of victims and create a safer future for Meigs County. There are many services, some listed below, that can be utilized if you are a victim of a crime,” stated Stanley.

If you are in immediate danger, call 911 or your local police department.