Proclaiming The Week of April 26th 2009 as "National Crime Victims' Rights Week".

The City Council of Philadelphia designates the Week of April 26th 2009 as “National Crime Victims' Rights Week” in Philadelphia and encourages that all communities throughout the City honor victims of crime and the people who help them rebuild their lives.

WHEREAS,

The Office for Victims of Crime was established by the 1984 Victims of Crime Act to oversee diverse programs that benefit victims of crime

;

and

WHEREAS

, Each April since 1981, Office for Victims of Crime has helped lead communities throughout the country in their observances of National Crime Victims' Rights Week; and

WHEREAS

, Office for Victims of Crime provides substantial

funding

to

state victim assistance and compensation programs

—the lifeline services that help victims to heal; and

WHEREAS,

The agency supports

trainings

designed to educate criminal justice and allied professionals regarding the rights and needs of crime victims

;

and

WHEREAS,

The Office for Victims of Crime released an online database that includes more than 15,000 victims' rights statutes (state and federal), tribal laws, constitutional amendments, court rules, and administrative code provisions—developed by the National Center for Victims of Crime with funding from The Office for Victims of Crime; and

WHEREAS

, Rallies, candlelight vigils, and a host of commemorative activities are held each year to promote victims' rights and to honor crime victims and those who advocate on their behalf; now therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED, BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF PHILADELPHIA,

That the Week of April 26th 2009 be designated as “National Crime Victims' Rights Week” in Philadelphia and encourages that all communities throughout the City honor victims of crime and the people who help them rebuild their lives.

FURTHER RESOLVED,

That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Philadelphia Coalition for Victim Advocacy, as further evidencing the sincere admiration and gratitude of this legislative body.

End