res23275

R 275

2023 -- S 0947
Enacted 04/27/2023

S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N

PROCLAIMING THE WEEK OF APRIL 23 THROUGH 29, 2023, TO BE "CRIME VICTIMS' RIGHTS WEEK" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

Introduced By: Senators Sosnowski, Acosta, Mack, Lawson, Rogers, de la Cruz, Britto, McKenney, Gu, and Tikoian

Date Introduced: April 27, 2023

WHEREAS, A just society acknowledges the impact of crime on individuals, families,

neighborhoods, and communities by ensuring that rights, resources, and services are readily

available to help rebuild the lives of innocent victims or those left behind; and

WHEREAS, Rhode Island will always be dedicated to doing whatever it takes to help

crime victims and their families after undergoing a traumatic experience; and

WHEREAS, Rhode Island supports victims of crime by treating them with respect and

dignity, listening to them, and matching their needs to appropriate services and support; and

WHEREAS, Providing crime victims with knowledge of the rights and resources

available to them strengthens their ability to recover by restoring a sense of self-empowerment;

and

WHEREAS, Victims of crime not only face physical and emotional costs, they often

suffer a serious economic toll as well; and

WHEREAS, Victims can carry a fiscal burden long after the day a crime occurred,

whether it be medical expenses, crime scene cleanup, the cost of physical re-location, or lost

earnings; and

WHEREAS, The Crime Victims Compensation Program – administered by the Office of

the General Treasurer – helps to defer the economic burden on innocent victims that is so often

associated with crime; and

WHEREAS, In 2022, the Crime Victims Compensation Program helped over 260 victims

and families get back on their feet; and

WHEREAS, In 2022, the Crime Victims Compensation Program provided nearly

$900,000 in financial assistance to victims of crime; and

WHEREAS, Legislation introduced at the request of the General Treasurer works to

increase funding for the Crime Victims Compensation Program through a small fee on traffic

violations; and

WHEREAS, This Legislation would also expand resources to victims and access to

program funds for sexual assault survivors; and

WHEREAS, Obstacles still prevent many victims from receiving meaningful access to

quality, comprehensive services and support; and

WHEREAS, Many criminal acts – including rape and sexual and domestic assault – are

often unreported out of a fear of retribution or past negative encounters with the criminal justice

system; and

WHEREAS, The Office of the General Treasurer and the General Assembly is

committed to ensuring every innocent victim of crime has access to the resources and services

they need to recover from their ordeals and to regain a feeling of safety; and

WHEREAS, The week of April 23 through 29, 2023, is National Crime Victims' Rights

Week, where our nation dedicates itself to strengthening victims and survivors in the aftermath of

crime and expresses its gratitude and appreciation for community members, victims service

providers, and criminal justice professionals who are committed to helping all who have suffered

from criminal acts; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That this the Senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby proclaims the

week of April 23 through 29, 2023, to be "Crime Victims' Rights Week" in the State of Rhode

Island. We moreover urge innocent victims of crime to apply for a grant from the Crime Victims

Compensation Program to help defer the cost of crime and convalesce; and be it further

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

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to Day One RI, the Lawrence A. Aubin, Sr. Child

Protection Center, Bikers Against Child Abuse of Rhode Island, Sojourner House, and the Rhode

Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

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LC002906

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