Attorney General Jack Conway

Dear Victim Service Providers:

The Office of the Attorney General is proud to host the 2012 Victims' Assistance Conference at the Galt House Hotel in Louisville. Despite budget constraints, my office remains committed to victim advocacy and to ensuring justice and healing for crime victims in Kentucky.

This year's Victims' Assistance Conference will mirror the Office of Victims of Crime's National Crime Victims' Rights Week Theme, "Extending the Vision – Reaching Every Victim," and will focus on assisting the most vulnerable and sometimes underserved victims. We are honored to welcome Sharon D'Eusanio who was sexually assaulted and blinded after being shot by her attacker. Ms. D'Eusanio will share her inspirational story at the Victims' Rights Day event on the evening of April 25 and in a workshop regarding how to best serve victims with disabilities.

We are also excited to partner with the Mary Byron Project to bring Wambui Bahati to present her play, "I Am Domestic Violence" at the luncheon on April 26. The Mary Byron Project has agreed to sponsor this luncheon that will provide a creative and entertaining way to spark discussions about serious domestic violence policy issues.

The keynote speaker for our closing session, Linda Talley Smith, Commonwealth's Attorney for Kentucky's 54th Judicial Circuit, will provide motivation for attendees to continue the important fight of advocating for victims of crime, with her presentation, "Why We Do What We Do."

Finally, I would like to commend you for the tireless work you do every day to assist victims and their families. You give hope to the hopeless and lend a powerful voice to Kentuckians who, in their darkest hours, might otherwise have no voice.

We look forward to seeing you at this year's conference and victims' rights day event.

Sincerely,

Jack Conway
Kentucky Attorney General