The annual Victims’ Rights Ceremony will be at 11:30 a.m. Friday in Kenyon Plaza between the Hall County courthouse and its annex.

Hall County will commemorate the advancement of victims’ rights at the ceremony by honoring an individual, group or agency that has served as a champion in advocating for expanded support and services to victims of crime.

“Early intervention helps prevent both further victimization and involvement in the criminal justice system, thus addressing the cycle of violence and restoring hope for the future,” Hall County Solicitor General Stephanie Woodard said in a news release. “It is my sincere honor to recognize the parties responsible for doing this kind of work day in and day out.”

Hall County is observe National Crime Victims’ Rights Week from April 10-16 with special programs and the theme — Serving Victims. Building Trust. Restoring Hope.

The Victims of Crime Act, or VOCA, passed by Congress in 1984, created a national fund to ease victims’ suffering. Financed by fines and penalties paid by offenders, the Crime Victims Fund supports services for victims of all types of crime, including assistance for homicide survivors, survivors of child sexual abuse and victims of human trafficking, as well as rape crisis centers and domestic violence programs among others. VOCA also funds victim compensation programs that pay victims’ out-of-pocket expenses such as counseling, funeral expenses and lost wages.

“Addressing the needs of victims and celebrating their stories of survival is paramount in building their trust in the criminal justice system,” Hall County District Attorney Lee Darragh said. “I am proud of the role my office has played in building that trust, and I invite the community at large to support these brave men, women and children as they rebuild their lives.”

For more information, contact the Hall County Solicitor’s Office at 770-531-7012 or visit www.ovc.gov.