SEAN BOSTON
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Reno County commissioners have officially declared April 6–12 as Crime Victims’ Rights Week, highlighting the importance of community support and connection in helping survivors heal.
Board chair Don Bogner read the proclamation during Wednesday’s meeting in the Reno County Courthouse, emphasizing the theme of “kinship” as a vital foundation in victim advocacy. He noted that kinship builds bridges to services, fosters resilience, and creates pathways to healing for those affected by crime.
The proclamation reaffirmed the county’s commitment to trauma-informed care, community alliances, and ongoing efforts to strengthen the criminal justice response. It also recognized the dedication of local service providers, advocates, and law enforcement professionals working to support victims year-round.
Following the proclamation, Reno County District Attorney Tom Stanton spoke about the importance of recognizing and protecting the rights of crime victims across the justice system.
“I appreciate very much the board recognizing Victims’ Rights Week,” Stanton said. “In this county, we have striven for years and years to protect victims. We look a lot of times towards victims of the most serious crimes, but my office protects victims from businesses who experience thefts, all the way up to the families of those who are murdered.”
Stanton also acknowledged several members of his staff who were present at the meeting and highlighted their work with victims.
“With me today is my Deputy District Attorney Andy Davidson, and Sarah McReynolds, our victim rights coordinator, who sets up meetings regularly for me and other attorneys in the office with victims so we can discuss their cases and they can have personal input,” he said.
He went on to address the broader challenges victims face in the court system.
“Victims’ rights are often put aside in the court system,” Stanton said. “We have a system that is designed to protect the defendant — and rightfully so, that’s what our Constitution demands of us — but we also have a system that allows victims oftentimes to be underserved or be ridiculed just for being victims. We fight vigorously against that, and we hope the community will support us in our efforts to protect the rights of victims.”
Stanton closed by inviting the public to take part in a local observance of Crime Victims’ Rights Week.
“I would like to invite everyone here, especially the commission and the members of Reno County, to our candlelight lighting service tomorrow at 6:30 at the South Hutchinson Community Center — that’s at 101 W. Ave. C in South Hutch,” he said. “I have been honored by the presence of members of the commission coming to this before and I really appreciate those of you who take time to do that. I think you will be inspired by what you will hear there, and you will see the support that we give victims of crime in this county.”