City of Lexington commemorates Crime Victims’ Rights’ Week

This year's theme is Rights, Access, and Equity for All Victims

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) – According to victims of crime, not a day goes by when they don’t think of their loved ones.

Since 1981, communities across the nation have remembered and acknowledged National Crime Victims’ Rights’ Week.

Law enforcement, city officials, and advocates gathered Thursday at the Crime Victims’ Rights’ Memorial on the Fayette Circuit Courthouse lawn to officially proclaim April 25-29, 2022 as Crime Victims’ Rights’ Week in Lexington.

Rachel Smith was at the ceremony in memory of her late husband, Jason.  In 2018, he was shot multiple times and rushed to UK Hospital, where Rachel worked at the time.

“I was actually on my way to work when I got the call, so instead of going to work, I went to identify my husband,” she explains.

Trying to focus on how her husband lived as opposed to how he died, she sees a heartwarming reminder of Jason every day at home.

“His son is just like him.  He looks like him, so I get a visual reminder every day. I never forget his face which is nice,” Smith explains.

After going through a lengthy court process, Smith says the man who shot her husband was sentenced to 25 years in prison. She says living without her husband isn’t easy, but what helps is banding together with loved ones of other crime victims. She’s also very appreciative of a week dedicated to raising awareness about crime victims’ rights’.

“It’s awesome that they’ve given a name and a special time for us victims because we are this middle man.  Now we have to stand-in and be a strong person for our loved ones,” says Smith.

Smith and other advocates believe that enforcing victims’ rights’, expanding access to services, and upholding principles of equity and inclusivity for all can enable crime victims to find the justice they seek and need.

The event was put on by the Fayette County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office, in collaboration with the Fayette County Attorney’s Office, United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Kentucky, Office of the Fayette County Sheriff and Lexington Police Department.

The ceremony included an address by Dr. Emily Bonistall Postel, State Director of Marsy’s Law for Kentucky, and Devine Carama, Director of One Lexington.  Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton delivered a proclamation as part of the ceremony.