Assembly Concurrent Resolution
No. 129
CHAPTER 13
Relative to Crime Victims’ Rights Week.
[
Filed with
Secretary of State
March 20, 2002.
]
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
ACR 129, Havice.
Crime Victims’ Rights Week.
This measure would recognize the week of April 22 through 28, 2002, as Crime Victims’ Rights Week in California.
Digest Key
WHEREAS, Violent crimes that invade homes and shatter even the most trusting relationships continue to plague the citizens of California; and
WHEREAS, All Californians are affected by these violent acts, not just the victims of violent crimes; and
WHEREAS, The most effective aid that we can provide to victims of crime is to prevent them from becoming victims in the first place; and
WHEREAS, The respect and protection of victims’ rights within the legal process is one of the most critical components of an effective criminal justice system; and
WHEREAS, Victims and witnesses of crime require our special attention to ensure that they are thoroughly informed about, and participate effectively in, our criminal justice system; and
WHEREAS, To the maximum extent allowed by law, victims of violent crime should receive compensation for their losses; and
WHEREAS, Each day, thousands of victims and witnesses receive assistance from victim support organizations, victim-witness assistance centers, private service providers, and state and local governments; and
WHEREAS, The criminal justice system in this state must persist in its effort to better coordinate and improve the quality of services provided to victims and witnesses; and
WHEREAS, Time after time, California citizens have continually demonstrated their commitment to victims of violent crimes; and
WHEREAS, The Legislature and the voters by initiative have expanded the death penalty and enacted the “Three Strikes” law as deterrents to violent crime; and
WHEREAS, Each year, the observance of the National Crime Victims’ Rights Week focuses on the problems confronting victims of crime and the services available to support these victims; and
WHEREAS, National Crime Victims’ Rights Week increases the public’s awareness of crime victims’ circumstances and acknowledges the combined efforts of citizens, government, and the criminal justice system to improve victims’ services in California; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That the week of April 22 through 28, 2002, be recognized as Crime Victims’ Rights Week in California; and be it further
Resolved, That on the occasion of Crime Victims’ Rights Week, the Legislature encourages all Californians to join in this observance by wearing victim awareness ribbons to demonstrate their commitment to assisting victims and to the elimination of crime in the Golden State.