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; 


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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; 


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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— 


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(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 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) supports the mission and goals of National 

3 Crime Victims’ Rights Week, which include increas4 ing individual and public awareness of— 

5 (A) the impact of crime on victims and 

6 survivors and the families of the victims and 

7 survivors; and 

8 (B) the challenges to achieving justice for 

9 victims and survivors of crime and the families 

10 of the victims and survivors and the many solu11 tions available to meet those challenges; and 

12 (2) recognizes that crime victims and survivors 

13 and the families of the victims and survivors should 

14 be treated with dignity, fairness, and respect. 

Æ 


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