HomeMy WebLinkAboutPrsntatn - Crime Victims Rights Week Whereas, Americans are the victims of more than 20 million crimes
each year, and crime can touch the lives of anyone regardless of age, national
origin, race, creed, religion, gender, sexual orientation, immigration, or
economic status; and
Whereas, many victims face challenges in finding appropriate services,
including victims with disabilities, young victims of color, deaf and hard of
hearing victims, tribal victims, elder victims, victims with mental illness,
immigrant victims, teen victims, and others; and
Whereas, too many communities feel disconnected from the justice
and social response systems, and have lost trust in the ability of those systems
to recognize them and respond to their needs; and
Whereas, victims of repeat victimization who fail to receive supportive
services are at greater risk for long-term consequences of crime, and the victim
services community has worked for decades to create an environment for
victims that is safe, supportive, and effective; and
Whereas, honoring the rights of victims, including the right to be heard
and to be treated with fairness, dignity, and respect, and working to meet their
needs rebuilds their trust in the criminal justice and social service systems; and
Whereas, National Crime Victims' Rights Week, April 2 - 8, 2017, is an
opportune time to commit to ensuring that all victims of crime, even those who
are challenging to reach or serve, are offered culturally and linguistically
accessible and appropriate services in the aftermath of crime.
Now, Therefore, I, Jan C. Harnik, Mayor of the City of Palm
Desert, California, Along With the Entire City Council, Do Hereby Proclaim April
2 - 8, 2017, as
Crime Victims ' Rights Week
in the City of Palm Desert, and reaffirm our commitment to creating a victim
service and criminal justice response that assists all victims of crime during
Crime Victims' Rights Week and throughout the year; and to express our
sincere gratitude and appreciation for those community members, victim service
providers, and criminal justice professionals who are committed to improving
our response to all victims of crime so that they may find relevant assistance,
support, justice, and peace.
In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and
have caused the Official Seal of the City of Palm Desert,
California, to be affixed this 23rd day of March, 2017.