| R 209 |
| 2025 -- H 6193 Enacted 04/08/2025 |
| 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 |
| 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. |
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| LC001795 |
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