Iowa is hosting a multi-state conference on the rights of crime victims beginning today in Dubuque. Matt Whitaker is the U.S. Attorney for Iowa’s southern district. Whitaker says the conference will focus on the victims of drugs and violent crime. He says they’re bringing in some national speakers, including the director of the Department of Justice’s Office of Victim Services division.
Whitaker says the conference will include U.S. Attorneys from Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin. He says they talk about their best practices in crime victim assistance, especially in the area of drug endangered children. Whitaker says crime victims have stepped forward and are taking a greater role.
Whitaker says, “Victims are getting a greater and greater voice in criminal law enforcement …and I think have developed over the last 25 years some pretty great rights in the system.” Whitaker says prosecutors are always thinking about the victims to ensure they aren’t forgotten. The conference begins today and runs through Thursday.