2024 NATIONAL CRIME VICTIMS’ RIGHTS WEEK
Initiated in 1981, National Crime Victims’ Rights Week reminds those working in the public safety and criminal justice systems why they serve their communities. More importantly, it is an opportunity to remember and honor the victims and survivors of crime.
Our office is proud to host the ninth Annual National Crime Victims’ Right Week Memorials. Our memorials are held to raise awareness about crime victims’ issues and rights and introduce the community to the important resources and services available.
The 2024 theme—How Would You Help? Options, Services, and Hope for Crime Survivors —asks all of us—friends, family members, neighbors, colleagues, community leaders, victim service providers, criminal justice practitioners, and health professionals—how we can help crime victims. Are you prepared if someone confides in you about a victimization? Is your organization victim-centered and trauma-informed? Are you familiar with the services available in your community?
This year’s West Valley memorial event will take place on Monday, April 22, 2023, from 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM. It will be located at Central Park’s Freedom Courtyard, which is an outdoor grass bowl area located on the west side of the Goldy S. Lewis Community Center.
There will be resource tables available both before and after the memorial program, so please come early or plan to stay after to visit the tables.
Please bring your loved one’s photo t-shirt and/or framed photo for display at the event.
There will also be a memorial event in the High Desert on Thursday, April 25, 2024. You may view those event details below.
2022 NCVRW Memorial Video
Our Office and partner organizations throughout San Bernardino County are dedicated to survivors and their families. It is important to the families and to our community that we never forget those who have suffered at the hands of others.
While the 2023 National Crime Victims’ Rights Week is April 23rd through April 29th, we view it as an everyday event here in our office. Every day, of every month, of every year is dedicated to the rights of crime victims and the pursuit of justice.
Partners Against Violence
Partners Against Violence provides support for Survivors of sexual assault and violent crimes. All of our services are confidential and available at no cost to Survivors, their significant others, and family members. We are partners committed to building healthy relationships, families, communities, and generations that are free from violence.
The Open Door
Since 1985, Family Assistance Program, has been providing shelter and advocacy services to victims of domestic violence. Through the years, the agency has grown. We now operate shelters, transitional housing, and offices throughout San Bernardino County.
As community needs have been identified, the agency has grown to fill gaps in services. For example, since 2012, we have opened two new shelters, two new transitional housing programs, a youth drop-in center and an anti-human trafficking program: The Open Door
MARSY’S LAW – VICTIMS’ RIGHTS IN CALIFORNIA
Marsy’s Law is named after Marsalee (Marsy) Ann Nicholas, a beautiful, vibrant University of California Santa Barbara student, who was stalked and killed by her ex-boyfriend in 1983.
The Marsy’s Law initiative began in California and was led and sponsored by Marsy’s brother, Dr. Henry T. Nicholas III.
When it passed in November 2008, Proposition 9, The California Victims’ Bill of Rights Act of 2008: Marsy’s Law, became the strongest and most comprehensive Constitutional victims’ rights laws in the U.S. and put California at the forefront of the national victims’ rights movement.
Fairness and Respect – To be treated with fairness and respect for his or her privacy and dignity, and to be free from intimidation, harassment, and abuse, throughout the criminal or juvenile justice process.
Protection From The Defendant – To be reasonably protected from the defendant and persons acting on behalf of the defendant.
Victim Safety Considerations In Setting Bail and Release Conditions – To have the safety of the victim and the victim’s family considered in fixing the amount of bail and release conditions for the defendant.
The Prevention Of The Disclosure Of Confidential Information – To prevent the disclosure of confidential information or records to the defendant, the defendant’s attorney, or any other person acting on behalf of the defendant, which could be used to locate or harass the victim or the victim’s family or which disclose confidential communications made in the course of medical or counseling treatment, or which are otherwise privileged or confidential by law.
Refusal To Be Interviewed By The Defense – To refuse an interview, deposition, or discovery request by the defendant, the defendant’s attorney, or any other person acting on behalf of the defendant, and to set reasonable conditions on the conduct of any such interview to which the victim consents.
Conference With The Prosecution And Notice Of Pretrial Disposition – To reasonable notice of and to reasonably confer with the prosecuting agency, upon request, regarding, the arrest of the defendant if known by the prosecutor, the charges filed, the determination whether to extradite the defendant, and, upon request, to be notified of and informed before any pretrial disposition of the case.
Notice Of And Presence At Public Proceedings – To reasonable notice of all public proceedings, including delinquency proceedings, upon request, at which the defendant and the prosecutor are entitled to be present and of all parole or other post-conviction release proceedings, and to be present at all such proceedings.
Appearance At Court Proceedings And Expression Of Views – To be heard, upon request, at any proceeding, including any delinquency proceeding, involving a post-arrest release decision, plea, sentencing, post-conviction release decision, or any proceeding in which a right of the victim is at issue.
Speedy Trial And Prompt Conclusion Of The Case – To a speedy trial and a prompt and final conclusion of the case and any related post-judgment proceedings.
Provision Of Information To The Probation Department – To provide information to a probation department official conducting a pre-sentence investigation concerning the impact of the offense on the victim and the victim’s family and any sentencing recommendations before the sentencing of the defendant.
Receipt Of Pre-Sentence Report – To receive, upon request, the pre-sentence report when available to the defendant, except for those portions made confidential by law.
Information About Conviction, Sentence, Incarceration, Release, And Escape – To be informed, upon request, of the conviction, sentence, place and time of incarceration, or other disposition of the defendant, the scheduled release date of the defendant, and the release of or the escape by the defendant from custody.
Restitution
- It is the unequivocal intention of the People of the State of California that all persons who suffer losses as a result of criminal activity shall have the right to seek and secure restitution from the persons convicted of the crimes causing the losses they suffer.
- Restitution shall be ordered from the convicted wrongdoer in every case, regardless of the sentence or disposition imposed, in which a crime victim suffers a loss.
- All monetary payments, monies, and property collected from any person who has been ordered to make restitution shall be first applied to pay the amounts ordered as restitution to the victim.
The Prompt Return Of Property – To the prompt return of property when no longer needed as evidence.
Notice Of Parole Procedures And Release On Parole – To be informed of all parole procedures, to participate in the parole process, to provide information to the parole authority to be considered before the parole of the offender, and to be notified, upon request, of the parole or other release of the offender.
Safety Of Victim And Public Are Factors In Parole Release – To have the safety of the victim, the victim’s family, and the general public considered before any parole or other post-judgment release decision is made.
Information About These 16 Rights = To be informed of the rights enumerated in paragraphs (1) through (16).
VICTIM ADVOCATES AND VICTIMS’ RIGHTS GO HAND-IN-HAND
Our victim advocates will never abandon a victim of a violent crime as they navigate the complex and sometimes stressful criminal justice system. This is not fair to those who have been victimized, and we get it. Victim advocates work tirelessly to ensure victims’ rights are safeguarded and necessary resources and help are provided to those who need their assistance.
During National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, we recognize these amazing men and women who have made a commitment to be there for people during their most vulnerable and trying times.
SHOW YOUR SUPPORT
Post a message of encouragement and support for all victims of crimes on your preferred social media platform using the hashtags #NCVRW and #NCVRW2023.
STAY IN THE KNOW…
We will be highlighting organizations not only here on our website, but on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube. Simply follow @SBCountyDA to stay up to date when we publish the latest story.
GET MORE INFORMATION
Visit the United States Department of Justice’s Office for Victims of Crime website to learn more about National Crime Victims’ Rights Week.
