[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 129, 114th Congress, 1st Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

 
Proclamation 9257 of April 17, 2015

National Crime Victims' Rights Week, 2015

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

In recent decades, our Nation has made tremendous progress in reducing
the crime rate and building safer communities for all Americans. Yet
tragically, millions of people continue to be victimized by crime each
year--it happens every day, and it can happen to anyone. When one
person's life is shaken by crime, it tears at the fabric of our Nation
and erodes the values we cherish. That is why we all must help rebuild
the promise of justice and fairness for those whose lives are forever
changed by crime. This week, as we stand with these men, women, and
children, we renew our commitment to supporting them in their time of
need, and we reaffirm the basic human right of all people to live free
from violence.
All crime victims have fundamental rights; however, many underserved
populations face significant barriers to accessing the protections and
assistance they deserve. That is why as my Administration has worked to
bolster the rights, services, and support for all victims of crime, we
have particularly focused on at-risk communities. I was proud to sign
the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, which included
additional provisions to help immigrants and Native American
communities, as well as new protections to ensure victims do not face
discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity when they
seek assistance. And we are investing in training programs for law
enforcement and other professionals who assist underserved individuals.
My Administration is committed to standing up for the rights of those
affected by all types of crime, and we are taking action to stop crime
before it happens. Last year, I established the White House Task Force
to Protect Students from Sexual Assault to improve efforts to prevent
and effectively respond to sexual assault on our Nation's campuses. The
Federal Government is developing new tools to assist victims of economic
and financial crimes. We are also working to implement the
recommendations from my Task Force on 21st Century Policing, which
generated a series of practical, commonsense proposals to help reduce
crime while building public trust. And we continue our work to reduce
other violent and heinous crimes--such as human trafficking, elder
abuse, and violence against persons with disabilities--and to improve
access to necessary services for the victims of these crimes.
When communities come together to declare that crime is not tolerated,
to empower victims, and to work toward a brighter tomorrow, it gives new
life to our democracy and our system of justice. During National Crime
Victims' Rights Week, we lift up service providers, criminal justice
professionals, and all who are committed to improving ef

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forts to prevent and respond to the effects of crime. Together, let us
rededicate ourselves to the important work of supporting victims' rights
and continue our efforts to build a safer, stronger, more just future
for all Americans.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of
America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and
the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim April 19 through April
25, 2015, as National Crime Victims' Rights Week. I call upon all
Americans to observe this week by participating in events that raise
awareness of victims' rights and services, and by volunteering to serve
victims in their time of need.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this seventeenth day of
April, in the year of our Lord two thousand fifteen, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
ninth.
BARACK OBAMA