HomeMy WebLinkAboutVictims Rights ProclamationDeschutes County Board of Commissioners
1300 NW Wall St., Suite 200, Bend, OR 97701-1960
(541) 388-6570 -Fax (541) 385-3202 -www.deschutes.org
AGENDA REQUEST & STAFF REPORT
For Board Business Meeting of March 31,2014
DATE: March 17, 2014
FROM: Patrick Flaherty District Attorney's Office 541-388-6520
TITLE OF AGENDA ITEM:
Consideration of Board Signature of National Crime Victims' Rights Week Proclamation.
PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS DATE? Either
BACKGROUND AND POLICY IMPLICATIONS:
This is a standard proclamation supporting a yearly event that supports crime victims' rights week.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None
RECOMMENDATION & ACTION REQUESTED:
Support and signatures
ATTENDANCE: Patrick Flaherty and/or Mary Anderson
DISTRIBUTION OF DOCUMENTS:
One original back to Patrick Flaherty
For Recording Stamp Only
BEFORE THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF
DESCHUTES COUNTY, OREGON
PROCLAMATION
National Crime Victims' Rights Week, April 6-12, 2014
Whereas, Americans are victims of more than 22 million crimes each year,
and these crimes also affect family members, friends, neighbors, and co-workers;
Whereas, crime can leave a lasting physical, emotional, or financial impact on
people of all ages and abilities, and of all economic, racial, and social
backgrounds;
Whereas, in addition to these challenges, crime victims face criminal,
military, and juvenile justice systems that, at times, ignore their rights and treat
them with disrespect;
Whereas, in 1984, the Crime Victims Fund was established by the Victims of
Crime Act (VOCA) to provide a permanent source of support for crime victim
services and compensation through fines and penalties paid by convicted federal
offenders;
Whereas, the Crime Victims Fund today supports thousands of victim
assistance programs who provide help and support to child victims of violence
and sexual abuse; stalking victims; survivors of homicide victims; victims of
drunk-driving crashes; and victims of domestic, dating, and sexual violence and
other crimes;
Whereas, by ensuring that federal offender criminal fines and penalties are
deposited into the Crime Victims Fund, Congress affirmed that those who
commit crimes should be held accountable for the impact of their actions;
Whereas, the Crime Victims Fund provides victim assistance to more than
3.5 million crime victims annually and also provides compensation funds to
thousands of crime victims each year for reimbursement of expenses related to
their victimization;
Whereas, the victim assistance community faces new challenges to reach and
serve all victims, including victims of newly recognized crimes, such as domestic
minor sex trafficking and cybercrime, and victims who have not always trusted
the criminal justice system, including immigrant victims, urban youth, and
victims who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender;
Whereas, now is the time to embrace a new emphasis on learning what
works in reaching underserved victims and meeting victims' needs;
Whereas, National Crime Victims' Rights Week, April 6-12, 2014, provides an
opportunity to celebrate the energy, creativity, and commitment that launched
the victims' rights movement, inspired its progress, and continues to advance
the cause of justice for crime victims;
Whereas, the Deschutes County Board of Commissioners has joined forces
with victim service providers, criminal justice agencies, and concerned citizens
throughout Deschutes County and America to raise awareness of victims' rights
and observe National Crime Victims' Rights Week:
Now, therefore, the Deschutes County Board of Commissioners does hereby
proclaim the week of April 6-12, 2014, as
NATIONAL CRIME VICTIMS' RIGHTS WEEK
And reaffirms Deschutes County's commitment to respect and enforce
victims' rights and address victims' needs during National Crime Victims' Rights
Week and throughout the year; and express our appreciation for those victims
and crime survivors who have turned personal tragedy into a motivating force to
improve our response to victims of crime and build a more just community.
Dated this day of ______2014 by the Deschutes
County Board of Commissioners.
Tammy Baney, Chair
Anthony DeBone, Vice Chair
ATTEST: Alan Unger, Commissioner
Recording Secretary