1Designating the week of April 6 through 12, 2014, as "Crime
2Victims' Rights Week" in Pennsylvania.

3WHEREAS, Americans are victims of more than 22 million crimes
4each year, and these crimes also affect family members, friends,
5neighbors and coworkers; and

6WHEREAS, Crime can leave a lasting physical, emotional or
7financial impact on people of all ages and abilities and of all
8economic, racial and social backgrounds; and

9WHEREAS, In addition to these challenges, crime victims face
10criminal, military and juvenile justice systems that, at times,
11ignore their rights and treat them with disrespect; and

12WHEREAS, In 1984, the Crime Victims Fund was established by
13the Victims of Crime Act of 1984 to provide a permanent source
14of support for crime victim services and compensation through
15fines and penalties paid by convicted Federal offenders; and

16WHEREAS, The Crime Victims Fund today supports thousands of
17victim assistance programs that provide help and support to

1child victims of violence and sexual abuse, stalking victims,
2survivors of homicide victims, victims of drunk driving crashes
3and victims of domestic, dating and sexual violence and other
4crimes; and

5WHEREAS, In 1998, the General Assembly passed the Crime
6Victims Act to help support victims of crime in Pennsylvania;
7and

8WHEREAS, The victim assistance community faces new challenges
9to reach and serve all victims, including victims of newly
10recognized crimes, such as domestic sex trafficking of minors
11and cybercrime, and victims who have not always trusted the
12criminal justice system, including immigrant victims, urban
13youth and victims who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender;
14and

15WHEREAS, Now is the time to embrace a new emphasis on
16learning what works in reaching underserved victims and meeting
17victims' needs; and

18WHEREAS, Crime Victims' Rights Week, April 6 through 12,
192014, provides an opportunity to celebrate the energy,
20creativity and commitment that launched the victims' rights
21movement, inspired its progress and continues to advance the
22cause of justice for crime victims; and

23WHEREAS, The Senate joins forces with victim service
24providers, criminal justice agencies and concerned citizens
25throughout Pennsylvania and America to raise awareness of
26victims' rights and observe Crime Victims' Rights Week;
27therefore be it

28RESOLVED, That the Senate recognize April 6 through 12, 2014,
29as "Crime Victims' Rights Week" in Pennsylvania.