Monticello, NY - The week of April 19 to April 25, 2026 marks the 45th anniversary of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW), first proclaimed by President Ronald Reagan in 1981. This annual observance recognizes the experiences of crime victims and survivors while reaffirming a national commitment to ensuring their voices are heard and their rights protected.
The 2026 NCVRW theme, CommUNITY, underscores the critical role that coordinated, community-based responses play in supporting victims of crime. Across Sullivan County, this unified approach brings together law enforcement, prosecutors, victim service providers, mental and behavioral health professionals, and community-based organizations to ensure that no survivor faces victimization alone.
The Sullivan County District Attorney’s Office remains committed to a victim-centered, trauma-informed approach that prioritizes dignity, access to services, and meaningful participation in the justice process. Through established multidisciplinary partnerships and ongoing collaboration with local service providers, the Office works to ensure that victims are supported from the initial report through prosecution and beyond.
“Protecting the rights of crime victims and holding offenders accountable are core functions of this Office,” said District Attorney Brian Conaty. “The CommUNITY we have built in Sullivan County reflects a coordinated, professional response where law enforcement, prosecutors, and service providers work in lockstep to ensure victims are treated with dignity, their voices are heard, and justice is pursued without compromise.”
Despite significant progress, challenges remain. Reductions in federal funding and increased demand for services continue to strain victim assistance programs nationwide. These pressures highlight the ongoing need for sustained investment in victim services, as well as continued public awareness and community engagement at the local level.
Here in Sullivan County, that commitment is demonstrated through active partnerships with organizations serving survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and other crimes. Over the weekend, Crime Victim Specialist Jade Corelli represented the District Attorney’s Office at the 40th anniversary of Fearless!, a local domestic violence advocacy organization, reinforcing the Office’s ongoing collaboration with community-based providers.
“Supporting victims requires more than a system response it requires a community response,” said Crime Victim Specialist Jade Corelli. “By working alongside our partners and showing up for and with victims, we are reinforcing trust, increasing awareness of available resources, and making it clear to survivors that they are supported every step of the way.”
