S.Res. 120 — Agreed to in Senate

III 113th CONGRESS 1st Session S. RES. 120 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; 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; 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 That the Senate— (1) supports the mission and goals of 2013 National Crime Victims' Rights Week to increase individual and public awareness of— (A) the impact of crime on victims and survivors; and (B) the challenges to achieving justice for victims, and the many solutions that can meet these challenges; and (2) recognizes that dignity, fairness, and respect constitute the very foundation of how crime victims and survivors should be treated.