Eastern District of Texas observes National Crime Victims’ Rights Week

PLANO, Texas – Eastern District of Texas U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs joins the Department of Justice’s Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) and the Executive Office for the United States Attorneys (EOUSA) in observing National Crime Victims’ Rights Week. This year’s theme is “Listen. Act. Advocate. Protect victims, serve communities.”

 

According to a Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) report, there were 6.7 million violent victimizations of persons age 12 or older in the United States in 2024.  Violent victimization includes rape or sexual assault, robbery, aggravated assault, and simple assault.

 

According to EOUSA, in fiscal year 2025 across the country, Victim-Witness professionals from the U.S. Attorney community, contacted victims more than 513,000 times regarding services and court updates; our Asset Forfeiture personnel contributed to almost $331 million in forfeited funds being granted to victims through remission or restoration; and our Financial Litigation Programs collected over $1 billion in restitution from criminal defendants for the benefit of victims.

 

“In the Eastern District of Texas, we have experienced Victim-Witness professionals who listen to victims and answer their questions,” said U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.  “Our Financial Litigation and Asset Forfeiture teams act diligently to maximize asset recovery on behalf of victims; and every day, our Assistant U.S. Attorneys appear in court to advocate for the rights of victims under the Crime Victims’ Rights Act (CVRA) and take steps to protect them.”

 

Achieving justice for victims and protecting their rights is our highest duty and we are honored to participate in the National observance of this special week to honor victims and victim advocates.  For additional information regarding National Crime Victims’ Rights Week and resources for victims, please visit https://ovc.ojp.gov/.