2025 -- H 6193

========

LC001795

========

     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2025

____________

H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

PROCLAIMING APRIL OF 2025, TO BE "CRIME VICTIMS AWARENESS MONTH" IN

THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

     Introduced By: Representatives Tanzi, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Chippendale, Hull, J.
Lombardi, Handy, McNamara, McEntee, and Kennedy

     Date Introduced: April 08, 2025

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, In 2024, the Rhode Island State Police and the Department of Public Safety

reported that 232 robberies, 1,032 assaults, 325 sexual crimes, and 23 homicides occurred in our

State; and

     WHEREAS, Being a victim of crime and navigating the criminal justice system can be a

frightening and confusing experience; and

     WHEREAS, Progress in improving the treatment of crime victims has been made

through the efforts of thousands of victims and survivors who have turned their own experiences

into a force for positive change, ensuring that others can receive justice, meaningful assistance,

and compassionate treatment before the law; and

     WHEREAS, Since the passage of the Victims of Crime Act of 1984, and through the

dedicated work of advocates, lawmakers, and victim service providers, there is a growing array of

services and resources available to victims and their loved ones; and

     WHEREAS, Honoring the rights of victims—including the rights to be heard and be

treated with fairness, dignity, and respect—and working to meet their needs rebuilds their trust in

the criminal justice and social service systems; and

     WHEREAS, Individuals’ trust in the compassion, understanding, and support of their

communities is achieved through sustained, deep-rooted, and coordinated outreach; and

     WHEREAS, Identifying, reaching, and serving all victims of crime—especially those

from groups that often have less access to healing services and avenues to justice—is essential;

and

     WHEREAS, Our State’s continued engagement with the challenges faced by victims of

crime will ensure that the progress made to date is not lost, and that new ground is broken to gain

greater justice and healing for all victims; and

     WHEREAS, Crime Victims Awareness Month provides an opportunity to recommit to

ensuring that accessible, appropriate, and trauma-informed services are offered to all victims of

crime and their families; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby

proclaims April of 2025 to be “Crime Victims Awareness Month” and reaffirms the State’s

commitment to victims and survivors in the aftermath of crime, and expresses our sincere

gratitude and appreciation to those community members, victim service providers, and criminal

justice professionals who are committed to improving our State’s response to all victims of crime

in order that they may find relevant assistance, support, justice, and peace; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Liz Gledhill, Training Director, Center for

Trauma Informed Policing.

========

LC001795

========

LC001795 - Page 2 of 2