III 

111TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION S. RES. 486 

Supporting the mission and goals of the 2010 National Crime Victims’ Rights 

Week to increase public awareness of the rights, needs, and concerns 

of victims and survivors of crime in the United States, no matter the 

country of origin or creed of the victim, and to commemorate the National Crime Victims’ Rights Week theme referred to as ‘‘Crime Victims’ 

Rights: Fairness. Dignity. Respect.’’. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

APRIL 15, 2010 

Mr. SCHUMER (for himself and Mr. SESSIONS) submitted the following 

resolution; which was considered and agreed to 

RESOLUTION 

Supporting the mission and goals of the 2010 National 

Crime Victims’ Rights Week to increase public awareness 

of the rights, needs, and concerns of victims and survivors of crime in the United States, no matter the 

country of origin or creed of the victim, and to commemorate the National Crime Victims’ Rights Week 

theme referred to as ‘‘Crime Victims’ Rights: Fairness. 

Dignity. Respect.’’. 

Whereas more than 25,000,000 individuals in the United 

States are victims of crime each year, including more 

than 6,000,000 individuals who are victims of violent 

crime; 


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•SRES 486 ATS 

Whereas a just society acknowledges the impact of crime on 

individuals, families, neighborhoods, and communities by 

ensuring that rights, resources, and services are available 

to help rebuild the lives of the victims; 

Whereas, although the United States has steadily expanded 

rights, protections, and services for victims of crime, too 

many victims are still not able to realize the hope and 

promise of the expanded rights, protections, and services; 

Whereas, despite impressive accomplishments realized during 

the past 40 years in crime victims’ rights and services, 

there remain many challenges to ensuring that all victims 

are— 

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

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

to law enforcement; and 

(3) recognized as key participants in the systems of 

justice in the United States when the crimes are reported; 

Whereas the systems of justice in the United States should 

ensure that services are available for all victims of crime, 

including victims from underserved communities of the 

United States; 

Whereas observing the rights of victims and treating victims 

with fairness, dignity, and respect serve the public interest by— 

(1) engaging victims in the justice system; 

(2) inspiring respect for public authorities; and 

(3) promoting confidence in public safety; 

Whereas individuals in the United States recognize that 

homes, neighborhoods, and communities are made safer 


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•SRES 486 ATS 

and stronger by identifying and meeting the needs of 

crime victims and ensuring justice for all; 

Whereas treating victims of crime with fairness, dignity, and 

respect, as encouraged and expressed through the 2010 

National Crime Victims’ Rights Week theme referred to 

as ‘‘Crime Victims’ Rights: Fairness. Dignity. Respect.’’— 

(1) costs nothing more than taking time to identify 

the needs and concerns of victims; and 

(2) requires effective collaboration among justice 

systems to meet the needs and concerns of victims; and 

Whereas the 2010 National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, 

which is observed during the week of April 18 through 

April 24, 2010, provides an opportunity for the systems 

of justice in the United States to strive to reach the goal 

of justice for all by ensuring that victims are afforded 

legal rights and provided with assistance to face the financial, physical, spiritual, psychological, and social impact of crime: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) supports the mission and goals of the 2010 

3 National Crime Victims’ Rights Week to increase 

4 public awareness of— 

5 (A) the impact on victims and survivors of 

6 crime; and 

7 (B) the constitutional and statutory rights 

8 and needs of victims and survivors of crime; 

9 and 


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1 (2) recognizes that fairness, dignity, and re2 spect comprise the very foundation of the manner in 

3 which victims and survivors of crime should be treat4 ed. 

Æ 


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