III 

113TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION S. RES. 120 

Supporting the mission and goals of 2013 National Crime Victims’ Rights 

Week to increase 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 

APRIL 25, 2013 

Mr. LEAHY (for Mr. WICKER (for himself, Mr. LEAHY, Mr. SCHUMER, and 

Mr. GRASSLEY)) submitted the following resolution; which was considered 

and agreed to 

RESOLUTION 

Supporting the mission and goals of 2013 National Crime 

Victims’ Rights Week to increase 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 2011, there were nearly 6,000,000 victims of violent crime and more than 17,000,000 victims of property 

crime in the United States; 

Whereas, according to National Crime Victimization Survey, 

non-fatal violent crime increased by 17 percent and property crime increased by 11 percent in the United States 

between 2010 and 2011; 


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•SRES 120 ATS 

Whereas, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation 

Uniform Crime Reporting, ‘‘law enforcement agencies 

throughout the nation reported an increase of 1.9 percent 

in the number of violent crimes brought to their attention 

for the first 6 months of 2012 when compared with figures reported for the same time in 2011’’; 

Whereas a just society acknowledges the impact of crime on 

individuals, families, schools, and communities by protecting the rights of crime victims and ensuring that resources, and services are available to help rebuild lives; 

Whereas, despite impressive accomplishments during the last 

40 years in increasing the rights of, and services available to, crime victims and survivors, many challenges remain to ensure that all victims are— 

(1) treated with dignity, fairness, and respect; 

(2) offered support and services regardless of whether victims report crimes committed against them; and 

(3) recognized as key participants within the criminal, juvenile, Federal, tribal, and civil justice systems in 

the United States when victims do report crimes; 

Whereas victims and survivors of crime in the United States 

need and deserve support and assistance to help them 

cope with the often devastating consequences of crime; 

Whereas, during each of the last 31 years, 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; 


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•SRES 120 ATS 

Whereas Congress and the President agree on the need for 

a renewed commitment to serving all victims of crime in 

the 21st century; 

Whereas the theme of 2013 National Crime Victims’ Rights 

Week, celebrated from April 21 through April 27, 2013, 

is ‘‘New Challenges, New Solutions’’, which highlights the 

many challenges that confront the fields of crime victim 

assistance, justice, and public safety; and 

Whereas the people of the United States recognize and appreciate the continued importance of promoting the rights 

of, and services for, crime victims, and of honoring crime 

victims, survivors, and those who provide services for 

them: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) supports the mission and goals of 2013 Na3 tional Crime Victims’ Rights Week to increase indi4 vidual and public awareness of— 

5 (A) the impact of crime on victims and 

6 survivors; and 

7 (B) the challenges to achieving justice for 

8 victims, and the many solutions that can meet 

9 these challenges; and 

10 (2) recognizes that dignity, fairness, and re11 spect constitute the very foundation of how crime 

12 victims and survivors should be treated. 

Æ 


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