S RES 93

SRES 93 IS

Supporting the mission and goals of 2009 National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, to increase public awareness of the rights, needs, and concerns of victims and survivors of crime in the United States, and to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the enactment of the Victims of Crime Act of 1984.

March 31, 2009

Mr. SCHUMER submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

Supporting the mission and goals of 2009 National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, to increase public awareness of the rights, needs, and concerns of victims and survivors of crime in the United States, and to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the enactment of the Victims of Crime Act of 1984.

Whereas approximately 25,000,000 individuals in the United States are victims of crime each year, including more than 6,000,000 victims of violent crime;

Whereas a just society acknowledges the impact of crime on individuals, families, and communities by ensuring that rights, resources, and services are available to help rebuild lives;

Whereas although the Nation has steadily expanded rights, protections, and services for victims of crime, too many victims are still not able to realize the hope and promise of these gains;

Whereas the Nation must do more to ensure that services are available for underserved segments of the population, including crime victims with disabilities, with mental illness, teenaged victims, elderly victims, and victims from urban areas, rural areas, and communities of color;

Whereas observing victims’ rights and treating victims with dignity and respect serves the public interest by engaging victims in the justice system, inspiring respect for public authorities, and promoting confidence in public safety;

Whereas the people of the United States recognize that homes, neighborhoods, and communities are made safer and stronger by serving victims of crime and ensuring justice for all;

Whereas 2009 marks the 25th anniversary of the enactment of the Victims of Crime Act of 1984 (VOCA) (42 U.S.C. 10601 et seq.), the hallmark of the Federal Government’s recognition of its commitment to supporting rights and services for victims of all types of crime that established the Crime Victims Fund, which is paid for through criminal fines and penalties, rather than by taxpayers’ dollars;

Whereas since its inception, the Crime Victims Fund has collected more than $9,000,000,000 from offender fines and penalties to be used exclusively to help victims of crime;

Whereas VOCA supports direct assistance and financial compensation to more than 4,000,000 victims of crime every year;

Whereas VOCA’s imaginative transformation of offender fines into programs of victim rehabilitation has inspired similar programs throughout the worldwide crime victims’ movement;

Whereas the theme of 2009 National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, celebrated April 26, 2009, through May 2, 2009, is ‘25 Years of Rebuilding Lives: Celebrating the Victims of Crime Act’, which highlights VOCA’s significant achievements and contributions in advancing rights and services for all crime victims; and

Whereas National Crime Victims’ Rights Week provides an opportunity for the Nation to strive to reach the goal of justice for all by ensuring that all victims are afforded legal rights and provided with assistance to face the financial, physical, spiritual, psychological, and social impact of crime: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Senate--

(1) supports the mission and goals of 2009 National Crime Victims’ Rights Week to increase public awareness of the impact of crime on victims and survivors, and of the constitutional and statutory rights and needs of victims;

(2) recognizes the 25th anniversary of the enactment of the Victims of Crime Act of 1984 (42 U.S.C. 10601 et seq.); and

(3) directs the Secretary of the Senate to transmit an enrolled copy of this resolution to the Office for Victims of Crime within the Office of Justice Programs of the Department of Justice.