FAIRFAX, Va. — Dozens gathered in Virginia to show solidarity with victims of crime — from survivors themselves to the deceased victims’ family members who are left to mourn their losses.
National Crime Victims’ Rights Week launched in Fairfax County on Sunday with a resource fair featuring local organizations that work with Northern Virginia crime victims.
Speakers included a dad who lost a daughter during the Virginia Tech mass shooting nearly 10 years ago, on April 16, 2007.
“You are the strongest and the most resilient people I know. You are heroes and in a different way, we are all family here,” Joseph Samaha said to the audience.
He’s father of Virginia Tech mass shooting victim Reema Samaha. The 18-year-old Samaha was one of 33 people who died during that mass shooting, including the gunman.
“As victims, we seek what I call ‘The Trilogy.’ Truth, accountability and apology. Knowing we may never receive the full truth, we will never have complete accountability, nor may we ever receive a sincere apology. But we continue to seek justice,” he said.
“And as victims and survivors, we honor, we remember and create a living legacy for those we have lost and for those injured. We yearn to feel and to enjoy the essence, the aroma, and the touch of their love.”
He also spoke about resilience.
“We can live again, we can love again, we can breathe again, we can trust again, and we can believe in God again. And may the greatest gift to you be forgiveness.”
National Crime Victims’ Rights Week runs through April 8. This year’s theme is “Strength. Resilience. Justice.”
Fairfax County Police Chief Edwin Roessler said that while crime prevention is a goal of officers on the street, if a person becomes a victim, it’s also important to follow up with them.
“Collectively, we need to be a family, together as a police department and a community, with our victims our advocates and continue to help heal each other,” Roessler said.
