Georgia Parole Review | Page 13

the parole board's victims visitors' Days in Forsyth &

fort valley

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At the Annual National Crime Victims' Rights Week Ceremony in Georgia in April, the Parole Board conducts a Victims Visitors' Day where crime victims meet one-on-one with Board Members. An open house affords victims an opportunity to meet with participating agencies to determine what services meet their needs.

At Fort Valley State University on July 30th, Board Members met with crime victims. The Victims Visitors' Day was sponsored by the Georgia Office of Victim Services in conjunction with State Representative Patty Bentley who represents House District 139.

"You matter, your concerns are very important to us," Bentley told the victims during the opening ceremony.

Board Chairman Terry Barnard told the audience, “Public safety, community engagement and victim empowerment are just a few priorities that we focus on today, as we press forward in our goal to help victims become survivors."

Victims representing more than 70 cases attended the event.

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