NEW JERSEY
Office of the Attorney General
TRENTON – Acting Attorney General John J. Hoffman announced today that an Essex County Assistant Prosecutor and a Middlesex County sexual abuse survivor who became a victim advocate will be honored at a statewide Crime Victims’ Rights Week event this week for their dedication to providing outstanding services to victims of crime.
According to Acting Attorney General Hoffman, Romesh Sukhdeo, of Montclair, and Mark Crawford, of Avenel, will receive the first-ever Office of Attorney General Excellence Awards for Victims’ Justice at a statewide program celebrating Crime Victims’ Rights Week. The program is held annually to reaffirm New Jersey’s commitment to enforce victims’ rights and address their needs. The event is co-sponsored by the New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice, the Victims of Crime Compensation Office and the State Office of Victim-Witness Advocacy.
“This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Victims of Crime Act, which changed the landscape of victim rights and services nationwide,” Acting Attorney General Hoffman said. “Through their relentless efforts, the men being honored at this week’s ceremony change the landscape every day within their own communities and throughout New Jersey.” …
Crawford will receive the Ronald W. Reagan Award. Crawford was chosen for his long-term commitment to victims’ rights and services, extraordinary efforts on behalf of victims, delivery of compassionate services to victims and advocacy for victims via legislation, policies and other measures.
Crawford is a survivor of sexual abuse as a child who is currently the New Jersey State Director of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests. In nominating Crawford, Senator Joseph Vitale wrote, “In 2005, Mark was appointed New Jersey State Director of SNAP, a position he still holds today. Mark receives contacts weekly from sexual abuse victims throughout the country, and spends time listening and educating victims who are often in a raw emotional state.” Senator Vitale continued, “Because of Mark’s efforts, many individuals, after living in years of silence and shame, learned of their predators crimes and came forward themselves, finally getting help and holding their offender accountable.”
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