Special 25th anniversary activities to be held throughout Rhode Island beginning the last week of April.

PROVIDENCE 4/7/2009 - General Treasurer Frank T. Caprio, the Crime Victim Compensation Program (CVCP) and the Crime Victim Service Providers Steering Committee invite the public to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA).

A week of events will take place in Rhode Island during National Crime Victims' Rights Week, April 26th to May 2nd, 2009.

"Before VOCA, victims of violent crime in Rhode Island were too often the forgotten people in the criminal justice system," said Treasurer Caprio. "Now, they have a bill of rights and a source of funding for critical services. Without VOCA thousands of crime victims would face tough choices in getting the care they need," Caprio said.

The CVCP was created to help victims with the many costs associated with violent crime. The program provides financial compensation to crime victims for such expenses as medical bills, loss of earnings and funeral expenses, up to $25,000.

25th Anniversary Events Being held in RI:

* Sunday, April 26, 2009 Motorcycle Rally 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Kicks off at the State House, Smith Street, Providence, RI

Open to the public in celebration of the 25th Anniversary of the Victims of Crime Act. Sponsored by the RI Crime Victim Compensation Program and Blue Knights Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club, the ride starts at the State House on Smith Street in Providence, RI. Registration is from 12:00 Noon to 1:00 p.m. The ride is free and refreshments will be provided. "Public safety colors only please." Rain date will be Sat. 5/2.

* Monday, April 27, 2009 Appreciation Ceremony 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. RIC School of Social Work, 600 Mount Pleasant Ave., Providence, RI.

General Treasurer Frank T. Caprio and the RI Crime Victim Compensation Program wish to invite the public to attend a presentation to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of the Victims of Crime Act. This ceremony will acknowledge those victim service providers who receive Victim Assistance funding and who have helped to further crime victims' rights for the State of Rhode Island. Refreshments will be provided.

* Wednesday, April 29, 2009: Victim Grove Ceremony 12:30 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. Victims' Memorial Grove, South Main Street, Providence, RI (across from Licht Judicial Complex)

The RI Crime Victim Service Providers Steering Committee invites the public to join us for a ceremony to honor and remember all victims of crime. The ceremony also includes honoring three individuals including a crime victim, a surviving family member and a volunteer working with crime victims.

* Wednesday, April 29, 2009 Providence Children's Museum - 100 South St., Providence, RI: A 25th birthday celebration for VOCA 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

This celebration is open to the general public and will be co-sponsored with Family Service of RI. Location is the Providence Children's Museum. There will be free admission to the museum for all guests. Please join us for children's activities including pizza and birthday cake to celebrate VOCA: "25 Years of Rebuilding Lives: Celebrating the Victims of Crime Act."

* Thursday, April 30, 2009 Conference at Roger Williams University's Portsmouth Campus - 144 Anthony Rd, Portsmouth, RI 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

The public is invited to attend a free conference hosted by the Justice System Training & Research Institute at Roger Williams University promoting public awareness of the 25th Anniversary of VOCA: the Victims of Crime Act.

The agenda will include a talk on "Children, loss and resiliency: as it relates to crime victims and their families" by guest speaker, Maria Trozzi, M.Ed., an assistant professor of pediatrics at Boston University School of Medicine, a consultant for the Child Development Unit at Children's Hospital in Boston, and Director of the nationally renowned Good Grief Program at Boston Medical Center, which has established her as one of the foremost experts on child bereavement in the country.

A panel discussion will follow with members of local, state and federal crime victim service providers. Refreshments will be provided.

Visit the Office of the Rhode Island General Treasurer's web site for event details or call Judy Farley at the RI Crime Victim Compensation Program (401) 222-3264 or jfarley@treasury.ri.gov.

All events are free and open to the public.

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