Bill Text: NY J02254 | 2023-2024 | General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim April 21-27, 2024, as Crime Victims' Rights Week in the State of New York

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 42-1)

Status: (Passed) 2024-04-16 - ADOPTED [J02254 Detail]

Download: New_York-2023-J02254-Introduced.html

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Senate Resolution No. 2254

BY: Senator SALAZAR

        MEMORIALIZING  Governor  Kathy  Hochul to proclaim
        April 21-27, 2024, as Crime Victims' Rights Week  in
        the State of New York

  WHEREAS,  It  is  the  custom  of this Legislative Body to recognize
official weeks set aside to increase awareness of serious  issues  which
affect the lives of New York State residents; and

  WHEREAS,  Attendant  to  such  concern,  and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions,  this  Legislative  Body  hereby  memorializes
Governor  Kathy  Hochul to proclaim April 21-27, 2024, as Crime Victims'
Rights Week in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance
of National Crime Victims' Rights Week; and

  WHEREAS, For the past three decades, Americans have joined  together
to  recognize the needs and rights of crime victims and survivors during
National Crime Victims' Rights Week; and

  WHEREAS, Every person who is victimized by  crime  in  this  country
deserves to be treated with dignity and compassion; and

  WHEREAS,  An  estimated  22 million Americans are directly harmed by
crime each year, and  each  crime  affects  many  more  family  members,
friends, neighbors, and co-workers; and

  WHEREAS,   Crime   can  leave  a  lasting  physical,  psychological,
emotional, and financial impact on people of all ages and abilities, and
of all economic, racial, and social backgrounds; and

  WHEREAS, In 1984, the Crime Victims  Fund  was  established  by  the
Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) to provide a permanent source of support for
crime victim services and compensation.

  WHEREAS, Today, thousands of victim assistance programs provide help
and  support  to  child  victims  of violence and sexual abuse; stalking
victims;  survivors  of  homicide  victims;  victims  of   drunk-driving
crashes;  and victims of domestic, dating, and sexual violence and other
crimes; and

  WHEREAS, The victim assistance community  faces  new  challenges  to
reach  and  serve  all  victims,  including  victims  of new crimes like
cybercrime and crime victims who have may have valid reasons to have not
always trusted the criminal legal system,  including  immigrants,  BIPOC
youth,  individuals  involved  in sex work, individuals who are lesbian,
gay, bisexual, transgender, or questioning, and individuals who may have
been victims of criminal conduct by law enforcement officers; and

  WHEREAS,  Important  new  frameworks  and  initiatives   are   being
developed  and  implemented to ensure the availability of comprehensive,
culturally  relevant,  trauma-informed,  and  restorative  services  and
treatment  to  help  victims  begin healing and to assist communities in
maintaining community safety for all, and these new approaches are to be
commended and fully supported; and


  WHEREAS,  National  Crime  Victims'  Rights Week, April 21-27, 2024,
provides  an  opportunity  to  celebrate  the  energy,  creativity,  and
commitment  that  launched  the  victims'  rights movement, inspired its
progress, and continues to  advance  the  cause  of  justice  for  crime
victims; and

  WHEREAS, Respect, support, and dignity are basic rights of all those
who have been victimized by crime; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED,  That  this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to  proclaim  April  21-27,  2024,  as
Crime Victims' Rights Week in the State of New York; and be it further

  RESOLVED,  That  a  copy  of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of  New
York.