January 1, 2003

Dear Colleague:

This April, we will observe the 23^rd anniversary of National Crime Victims' Rights Week. The theme, "Victims' Rights: Fulfill the Promise," presents us with an opportunity to build on the tremendous foundation of rights and services for crime victims already established across our nation.

Justice Solutions — a new national non-profit advocating for rights and services for victims and communities affected by crime — is pleased to present the 2003 National Crime Victims' Rights Week Resource Guide to help you plan and implement activities in your community and state. This package has been developed in conjunction with the "National Public Awareness and Education Campaign" project sponsored by the Office for Victims of Crime, which is creating a national public awareness theme and strategy to promote victims' rights and services nationwide. Our partners in this important initiative are Parents of Murdered Children, Victims' Assistance Legal Organization, Superfine Films, and Equals Three Communications.

The dedication and work of so many crime victims and survivors, service providers, justice and allied professionals, and policy makers over the last 30 years have resulted in more than 32,000 victims' rights laws and more than 10,000 organizations serving crime victims. These are remarkable achievements but, as always, there's more to do. We should not cease our efforts until every crime victim is eligible for, and receives, all the rights and services they need to aid in their recovery.

We hope that this year's Resource Guide offers you the tools you need to fulfill the promise of full rights and services for all crime victims, not only during National Crime Victims' Rights Week but throughout the year. We encourage you to plan your activities in partnership with crime victims and survivors, other victim assistance and justice professionals, and allied professionals in order to maximize the impact of this important week.

As this year's National Crime Victims' Rights Week draws near, we will celebrate all that has been accomplished and commit our energies to fulfill the promise of comprehensive rights and services for all victims of crime.