[Congressional Bills 113th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 424 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

113th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 424

Supporting the mission and goals of 2014 National Crime Victims' Rights 
 Week, which include increasing public awareness of the rights, needs, 
    and concerns of, and services available to assist, victims and 
                survivors of crime in the United States.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             April 11, 2014

  Mr. Wicker (for himself, Mr. Leahy, Mr. Grassley, and Mr. Schumer) 
submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee 
                            on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Supporting the mission and goals of 2014 National Crime Victims' Rights 
 Week, which include increasing public awareness of the rights, needs, 
    and concerns of, and services available to assist, victims and 
                survivors of crime in the United States.

Whereas in 2011, there were approximately 6,000,000 victims and survivors of 
        violent crime and more than 17,000,000 victims and survivors of property 
        crime in the United States;
Whereas according to the National Crime Victimization Survey, nonfatal violent 
        crime in the United States increased by 17 percent and property crime in 
        the United States increased by 11 percent between 2010 and 2011;
Whereas according to the Uniform Crime Reporting Program of the Federal Bureau 
        of Investigation, ``law enforcement agencies throughout the nation 
        reported an increase of 1.9 percent in the number of violent crimes 
        brought to their attention for the first 6 months of 2012 when compared 
        with figures reported for the same time in 2011'';
Whereas a just society acknowledges the impact of crime on individuals, 
        families, schools, and communities by protecting the rights of crime 
        victims and survivors and ensuring that resources and services are 
        available to help rebuild the lives of such victims and survivors;
Whereas despite impressive accomplishments between 1974 and 2014 in increasing 
        the rights of, and services available to, crime victims and survivors, 
        and the families of such victims and survivors, many challenges remain 
        to ensure that all crime victims and survivors, and the families of such 
        victims and survivors, are--

    (1) treated with dignity, fairness, and respect;

    (2) offered support and services regardless of whether such victims and 
survivors report crimes committed against them; and

    (3) recognized as key participants within the criminal, juvenile, 
Federal, tribal, and civil justice systems in the United States when such 
victims and survivors report crimes;

Whereas crime victims and survivors in the United States, and the families of 
        such victims and survivors, need and deserve support and assistance to 
        help cope with the often devastating consequences of crime;
Whereas 2014 marks the 30th anniversary of the enactment of the Victims of Crime 
        Act of 1984 (42 U.S.C. 10601 et seq.) (referred to in this preamble as 
        ``VOCA''), which is the hallmark of the commitment of the Federal 
        Government to supporting rights and services for victims and survivors 
        of all types of crime;
Whereas VOCA established the Crime Victims Fund, which is paid for by criminal 
        fines and penalties, rather than by taxpayer dollars;
Whereas the Crime Victims Fund has collected more than $20,400,000,000 from 
        criminals to be used exclusively to help victims and survivors of crime;
Whereas during each year between 1984 and 2014, communities across the United 
        States have joined Congress and the Department of Justice in 
        commemorating National Crime Victims' Rights Week to celebrate a shared 
        vision of a comprehensive and collaborative response that identifies and 
        addresses the many needs of crime victims and survivors, and the 
        families of such victims and survivors;
Whereas Congress and the President agree on the need for a renewed commitment to 
        serving all victims and survivors of crime in the 21st century;
Whereas the theme of 2014 National Crime Victims' Rights Week, celebrated during 
        the week of April 6 through April 12, 2014, is ``30 Years: Restoring the 
        Balance of Justice'' and highlights the many challenges that confront 
        crime-victim assistance, justice, and public safety; and
Whereas the people of the United States recognize and appreciate the continued 
        importance of--

    (1) promoting the rights of, and services for, crime victims and 
survivors; and

    (2) honoring crime victims and survivors and individuals who provide 
services for such victims and survivors: Now, therefore, be it

    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) supports the mission and goals of 2014 National Crime 
        Victims' Rights Week, which include increasing individual and 
        public awareness of--
                    (A) the impact of crime on victims and survivors, 
                and the families of such victims and survivors;
                    (B) the challenges to achieving justice for victims 
                and survivors of crime, and the families of such 
                victims and survivors; and
                    (C) the many solutions to meet such challenges;
            (2) recognizes that crime victims and survivors, and the 
        families of such victims and survivors, should be treated with 
        dignity, fairness, and respect; and
            (3) recognizes the 30th anniversary of the enactment of the 
        Victims of Crime Act of 1984 (42 U.S.C. 10601 et seq.).
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