III 

113TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION S. RES. 424 

Supporting the mission and goals of 2014 National Crime Victims’ Rights 

Week, 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 

APRIL 11, 2014 

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

submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee 

on the Judiciary 

RESOLUTION 

Supporting the mission and goals of 2014 National Crime 

Victims’ Rights Week, 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 2011, there were approximately 6,000,000 victims and survivors of violent crime and more than 

17,000,000 victims and survivors of property crime in the 

United States; 

Whereas according to the National Crime Victimization Survey, nonfatal violent crime in the United States increased 

by 17 percent and property crime in the United States 

increased by 11 percent between 2010 and 2011; 


TKELLEY on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
2 

•SRES 424 IS 

Whereas according to the Uniform Crime Reporting Program 

of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, ‘‘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 survivors and ensuring that resources and services are available to help 

rebuild the lives of such victims and survivors; 

Whereas despite impressive accomplishments between 1974 

and 2014 in increasing the rights of, and services available to, crime victims and survivors, and the families of 

such victims and survivors, many challenges remain to 

ensure that all crime victims and survivors, and the families of such victims and survivors, are— 

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

(2) offered support and services regardless of whether such victims and survivors 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 such victims and survivors report 

crimes; 

Whereas crime victims and survivors in the United States, 

and the families of such victims and survivors, need and 

deserve support and assistance to help cope with the 

often devastating consequences of crime; 

Whereas 2014 marks the 30th anniversary of the enactment 

of the Victims of Crime Act of 1984 (42 U.S.C. 10601 

et seq.) (referred to in this preamble as ‘‘VOCA’’), which 


TKELLEY on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
3 

•SRES 424 IS 

is the hallmark of the commitment of the Federal Government to supporting rights and services for victims and 

survivors of all types of crime; 

Whereas VOCA established the Crime Victims Fund, which 

is paid for by criminal fines and penalties, rather than 

by taxpayer dollars; 

Whereas the Crime Victims Fund has collected more than 

$20,400,000,000 from criminals to be used exclusively to 

help victims and survivors of crime; 

Whereas during each year between 1984 and 2014, 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 such victims and survivors; 

Whereas Congress and the President agree on the need for 

a renewed commitment to serving all victims and survivors of crime in the 21st century; 

Whereas the theme of 2014 National Crime Victims’ Rights 

Week, celebrated during the week of April 6 through 

April 12, 2014, is ‘‘30 Years: Restoring the Balance of 

Justice’’ and highlights the many challenges that confront crime-victim assistance, justice, and public safety; 

and 

Whereas the people of the United States recognize and appreciate the continued importance of— 

(1) promoting the rights of, and services for, crime 

victims and survivors; and 


TKELLEY on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
4 

•SRES 424 IS 

(2) honoring crime victims and survivors and individuals who provide services for such victims and survivors: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) supports the mission and goals of 2014 Na3 tional Crime Victims’ Rights Week, which include in4 creasing individual and public awareness of— 

5 (A) the impact of crime on victims and 

6 survivors, and the families of such victims and 

7 survivors; 

8 (B) the challenges to achieving justice for 

9 victims and survivors of crime, and the families 

10 of such victims and survivors; and 

11 (C) the many solutions to meet such chal12 lenges; 

13 (2) recognizes that crime victims and survivors, 

14 and the families of such victims and survivors, 

15 should be treated with dignity, fairness, and respect; 

16 and 

17 (3) recognizes the 30th anniversary of the en18 actment of the Victims of Crime Act of 1984 (42 

19 U.S.C. 10601 et seq.). 

Æ 


TKELLEY on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with BILLS