[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 131 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

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115th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 131

Supporting the mission and goals of National Crime Victims' Rights Week 
   in 2017, 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 7, 2017

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

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Supporting the mission and goals of National Crime Victims' Rights Week 
   in 2017, 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 2015, according to a survey by the Bureau of Justice Statistics--

    (1) an estimated 5,000,000 residents of the United States who were not 
younger than 12 years of age were the victims of violent crime; and

    (2) households in the United States experienced an estimated 14,600,000 
property victimizations;

Whereas, in 2015, only 47 percent of violent crime and 38 percent of property 
        victimizations were reported to police;
Whereas, as of 2008, the most conservative estimate for the economic losses 
        sustained by victims of property crimes and victims of violent crime was 
        approximately $17,000,000,000 per year;
Whereas the economic cost alone does not fully describe the emotional, physical, 
        and psychological impact endured by a victim of crime;
Whereas crime can touch the life of any individual, regardless of the age, race, 
        national origin, religion, or gender of the individual;
Whereas a just society acknowledges the impact of crime on individuals, 
        families, schools, and communities by--

    (1) protecting the rights of crime victims and survivors; and

    (2) ensuring that resources and services are available to help rebuild 
the lives of the victims and survivors;

Whereas, despite impressive accomplishments between 1974 and 2017 in increasing 
        the rights of, and services available to, crime victims and survivors 
        and the families of the victims and survivors, many challenges remain to 
        ensure that all crime victims and survivors and the families of the 
        victims and survivors are--

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

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

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

Whereas crime victims and survivors in the United States and the families of the 
        victims and survivors need and deserve support and assistance to help 
        cope with the often devastating consequences of crime;
Whereas, each year from 1984 through 2016, communities across the United States 
        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 the 
        victims and survivors;
Whereas Congress and the President agree on the need for a renewed commitment to 
        serve all victims and survivors of crime in the 21st century;
Whereas, in 2017, National Crime Victims' Rights Week will be celebrated from 
        April 2 through April 8 and the theme, ``Strength. Resilience. 
        Justice.'', will reflect the empowerment and strength of individual 
        victims, the ability of victim assistance organizations to achieve 
        solutions for providing effective services, and a community-based effort 
        to deliver justice and healing to all victims;
Whereas engaging communities in victim assistance is essential in promoting 
        public safety;
Whereas the United States must empower crime victims and survivors by--

    (1) protecting the legal rights of the victims and survivors; and

    (2) providing the victims and survivors with services to help them in 
the aftermath of crime; 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 the victims and survivors: Now, therefore, be it

    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) supports the mission and goals of 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 the victims and survivors; and
                    (B) the challenges to achieving justice for victims 
                and survivors of crime and the families of the victims 
                and survivors and the many solutions available to meet 
                those challenges; and
            (2) recognizes that crime victims and survivors and the 
        families of the victims and survivors should be treated with 
        dignity, fairness, and respect.
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