Maine Crime Victims’ Rights to be celebrated on April 10

AUGUSTA — The Maine Chapter of Parents of Murdered Children will be hosting its 12th annual National Crime Victims’ Rights Week celebration on Sunday, April 10 at the Calumet Club, 334 W. River Road (Rte.104) in Augusta. The event will begin with a luncheon from 12-1 p.m. There is no cost to attend and all are welcome.

Following the luncheon, a program of guest speakers including Lt. Jeffrey Love of the Major Crimes Unit of the Maine State Police, Alison Gingras of the Maine State Crime Lab and others will discuss how advances in the way victims of crime are treated result in better outcomes for prosecutors and survivors of crime.

This year National Crime Victims’ Rights Week is April 10-16, and the theme “Serving Victims. Building Trust. Restoring Hope” presents the opportunity to “highlight the partnerships in Maine that are working together to serve victims of crime and their families, as they pursue justice and recovery,” according to Arthur Jette, Maine chapter leader of the Parents of Murdered Children and Other Survivors of Homicide Victims.

Survivors of homicide victims are encouraged to bring framed photos of their loved ones, as well as a small personal item to display on a memorial table. In order to better plan for the luncheon, please RSVP or for more information call Diane Gagnon at 623-8642.