A 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.

III 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; VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:30 Jun 06, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR237.ATS SR237 pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS 2 •SRES 237 ATS 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 sur- vivors; and (2) ensuring that resources and services are avail- able 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 sur- vivors are— (1) treated with dignity, fairness, and respect; (2) offered support and services, regardless of whether the victims and survivors report crimes com- mitted against them; and (3) recognized as key participants within the crimi- nal, juvenile, Federal, and Tribal justice systems in the United States when the victims and survivors report crimes; VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:30 Jun 06, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR237.ATS SR237 pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS 3 •SRES 237 ATS 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 desig- nating Crime Victims Week in 1985, communities across the United States have joined Congress and the Depart- ment of Justice in commemorating National Crime Vic- tims’ Rights Week to celebrate a shared vision of a com- prehensive 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 essen- tial 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 appre- ciate the continued importance of— VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:30 Jun 06, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR237.ATS SR237 pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS 4 •SRES 237 ATS (1) promoting the rights of, and services for, crime victims and survivors; and (2) honoring crime victims and survivors and indi- viduals who provide services for the victims and survivors: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate— 1 (1) supports the mission and goals of National 2 Crime Victims’ Rights Week, which include increas- 3 ing individual and public awareness of— 4 (A) the impact of crime on victims and 5 survivors and the families of the victims and 6 survivors; and 7 (B) the challenges to achieving justice for 8 victims and survivors of crime and the families 9 of the victims and survivors and the many solu- 10 tions available to meet those challenges; and 11 (2) recognizes that crime victims and survivors 12 and the families of the victims and survivors should 13 be treated with dignity, fairness, and respect. 14 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:30 Jun 06, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\SR237.ATS SR237 pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS