SCR 44, as introduced, Nielsen. Crime Victims’ Rights Week.
This measure would declare the week of April 19, 2015, to April 25, 2015, inclusive, as Crime Victims’ Rights Week.
Fiscal committee: no.
P1 1WHEREAS, Violent crime continues to exist in California, and
2crime in one part of the state, or crime against one person, affects
3our entire sense of well-being; and
4WHEREAS, All Californians are affected by crime, not just the
5victims of violent crime; and
6WHEREAS, The most effective aid that can be provided to
7victims of crime is to prevent crime from happening in the first
8place; and
9WHEREAS, Since 1981, National Crime Victims’ Rights Week
10has raised awareness of the special needs of crime victims; and
11WHEREAS, This year, the theme for this week is “Engaging
12Communities. Empowering Victims”; and
13WHEREAS, 2015 is a landmark year for crime victims and
14survivors, as well as those who serve them; and
15WHEREAS, The respect and protection of victims’ rights within
16the legal process is one of the most critical components of an
17effective criminal justice system; and
P2 1WHEREAS, Victims and witnesses of crime require special
2attention to ensure that they are thoroughly informed about, and
3effectively participate in, the criminal justice system; and
4WHEREAS, To the maximum extent allowed by law, victims
5of violent crime should receive compensation for their losses; and
6WHEREAS, Each day thousands of victims and witnesses
7receive assistance from victim support organizations,
8victim-witness assistance centers, private service providers, and
9state and local governments; and
10WHEREAS, The criminal justice system in this state must persist
11in its effort to better coordinate and improve the quality of services
12provided to victims and witnesses; and
13WHEREAS, California citizens enshrined victims’ rights in the
14California Constitution in 1982 through the passage of Proposition
158, the Crime Victims’ Bill of Rights; and
16WHEREAS, California citizens reaffirmed and afforded
17additional rights to victims in the California Constitution and in
18California law in 2008 through the passage of Proposition 9, the
19Victims’ Bill of Rights Act of 2008: Marsy’s Law; and
20WHEREAS, Each year, the observance of National Crime
21Victims’ Rights Week focuses on the problems confronting victims
22of crime and the services available to support these victims; and
23WHEREAS, The remembrances observed during National Crime
24Victims’ Rights Week promote awareness of victims’ issues and
25acknowledge the combined efforts of citizens, the government,
26and the criminal justice system to improve victims’ services in
27California; now, therefore, be it
28Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly
29thereof concurring, That the Legislature hereby recognizes the
30week of April 19, 2015, through April 25, 2015, inclusive, as Crime
31Victims’ Rights Week in California; and be it further
32Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of
33this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.
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