[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 237 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

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116th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 237

Supporting the mission and goals of National Crime Victims' Rights Week 
   in 2019, 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

                              June 5, 2019

 Mr. Grassley (for himself, Mr. Leahy, Mrs. Feinstein, and Mr. Crapo) 
 submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Supporting the mission and goals of National Crime Victims' Rights Week 
   in 2019, 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 2017, according to a survey by the Bureau of Justice Statistics--

    (1) an estimated 5,600,000 violent victimizations were committed 
against residents of the United States who were 12 years of age or older; 
and

    (2) households in the United States experienced an estimated 13,340,000 
property victimizations;

Whereas, in 2017, only 45 percent of violent crimes and 36 percent of property 
        victimizations were reported to police;
Whereas, as of 2015, the most conservative estimate for the economic losses 
        sustained by victims of property crimes and victims of violent crime was 
        approximately $11,200,000,000 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, including victims' compensation to 
reimburse victims for out-of-pocket expenses due to crime;

Whereas, despite impressive accomplishments 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, since Congress passed the first resolution designating Crime Victims 
        Week in 1985, 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 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 2019, National Crime Victims' Rights Week was celebrated from April 
        7 through April 13, and the theme, ``Honoring our Past. Creating Hope 
        for the Future.'', celebrates the progress made by those before us as we 
        look to a future of crime victim services that is even more inclusive, 
        accessible, and trauma-informed;
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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