It’s a shame that we have to have a special week to commemorate victims of crimes. A shame these crimes have even took place and continue to take place.

The numbers are startling and from drunk driving to domestic violence, our county is not exactly the “beautiful” area we tell ourselves it is. Our friends and neighbors are being hurt and killed on a daily basis.

In 2002, a total of 2,844 domestic violence cases were referred to prosecutors; the YWCA Alive program of Bainbridge Island and North Kitsap served 82 clients and the YWCA Alive Legal Advocacy group provided service to 1,626 adults and 1,589 children. There were 787 sexual assaults referred to prosecutors and two vehicular homicides.

Does this week really make a difference to those who have had their lives shattered by drunks, sexual predators and abusive spouses? We’re not sure but we hope so.

We are sure that these “victims’ rights” were violated the minute they became victims and that recognizing the rights they have following these travesties won’t bring back the innocence they once knew.

The real tragedy is that as we mark the occasion and as an East Bremerton rapist is looking at 54 years in jail, one of our own Sheriff’s Deputies has been charged with third degree rape of a child. Seems like what we really need is “Get tough on Rapists Week,” “Build a Prison Week” or “Lock up an Abusive Spouse Week.” Then we might get somewhere.