Fentress Community Walks For Victims Participating In National Rights Week

Fentress County residents gathered at South Fentress Park Thursday morning participating in the 2nd Annual Walk for Victims.

It’s all a part of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week. Victim Advocate Norris Skelley said the time was spent celebrating the strength and resilience of victims of crime.

“Crime victims did not ask for this to happen to them,” Skelley said. “This happened, because someone else made the choice to do something to them, or they made a choice to cause this. One thing that we try to tell people is if you know crime victims. reach out to them.”

Skelley said a big part of this week is educating the community on what happens in the criminal justice system.

“Sometimes they don’t know where to turn when this happens to them,” Skelley said. “One of the things we try to do during Crime Victims’ Rights Week is let these folks know that there is help out there for you to help you through this time. You may have been victimized 10,15,20 years ago, but you’re still carrying the scars, so groups like ours is here to help you.”

As volunteer advocates, Skelley said they help victims work through the justice system by attending court dates. Skelley said the goal is to let them know that they are not alone.

Skelley said if you cannot participate in an event this week, instead you can simply just let a victim know that you care.