III 

★(Star Print)

112TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION S. RES. 374 

Supporting the mission and goals of 2012 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. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

FEBRUARY 14, 2012 

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 2012 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. 

Whereas each year, approximately 19,000,000 individuals in 

the United States are victims of crime, including more 

than 4,000,000 victims of violent crime; 

Whereas a just society acknowledges the impact of crime on 

individuals, families, and communities by ensuring that 

rights, resources, and services are available to help rebuild lives; 

Whereas although the United States has steadily expanded 

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


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SRES 374 ATS1S 

many victims are still not able to realize the hope and 

promise of these gains; 

Whereas despite impressive accomplishments during the past 

40 years in the rights of and services available to crime 

victims, there remain many challenges to ensure that all 

victims— 

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

(2) are offered support and services regardless of 

whether the victims report crimes committed against 

them; and 

(3) are recognized as key participants within systems of justice in the United States when the victims do 

report crimes; 

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 the people of the United States recognize that we 

make our homes, neighborhoods, and communities safer 

and stronger by serving victims of crime and ensuring 

justice for all; 

Whereas in each of the last 30 years, communities throughout the United States have joined Congress and the Department of Justice in observing National Crime Victims’ 

Rights Week to celebrate a vision of a comprehensive and 

just response to all victims of crime; 

Whereas, the theme of 2012 National Crime Victims’ Rights 

Week, celebrated on April 22, 2012, through April 28, 

2012, is ‘‘Extending the Vision: Reaching Every Victim,’’ 


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SRES 374 ATS1S 

which highlights the importance of ensuring that services 

are available for all victims of crime; and 

Whereas the people of the United States appreciate the continued importance of promoting victims’ rights and honoring crime victims and those who advocate on their behalf: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) supports the mission and goals of 2012 Na3 tional Crime Victims’ Rights Week to increase public 

4 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 those victims and survivors; and 

9 (2) recognizes that fairness, dignity, and re10 spect comprise the very foundation of how victims 

11 and survivors of crime should be treated. 

Æ 


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