2025 -- H 6193
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LC001795
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S T A T E O F R H O D E I S L A N D
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2025
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H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N
PROCLAIMING APRIL OF 2025, TO BE "CRIME VICTIMS AWARENESS MON TH" IN
THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
Introduced By: Representatives Tanzi, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Chippendale, Hull, J.
Lombardi, Handy, McNamara, McEntee, and Kennedy
Date Introduced: April 08, 2025
Referred To: House read and passed
WHEREAS, In 2024, the Rhode Island State Police and the Department of Public Safety 1
reported that 232 robberies, 1,032 assaults, 325 sexual crimes, and 23 homicides occurred in our 2
State; and 3
WHEREAS, Being a victim of crime and navigating the criminal justice system can be a 4
frightening and confusing experience; and 5
WHEREAS, Progress in improving the treatment of crime victims has been made 6
through the efforts of thousands of victims and survivors who have turned their own experiences 7
into a force for positive change, ensuring that others can receive justice, meaningful assistance, 8
and compassionate treatment before the law; and 9
WHEREAS, Since the passage of the Victims of Crime Act of 1984, and through the 10
dedicated work of advocates, lawmakers, and victim service providers, there is a growing array of 11
services and resources available to victims and their loved ones; and 12
WHEREAS, Honoring the rights of victims—including the rights to be heard and be 13
treated with fairness, dignity, and respect—and working to meet their needs rebuilds their trust in 14
the criminal justice and social service systems; and 15
WHEREAS, Individuals’ trust in the compassion, understanding, and support of their 16
communities is achieved through sustained, deep-rooted, and coordinated outreach; and 17
WHEREAS, Identifying, reaching, and serving all victims of crime—especially those 18
from groups that often have less access to healing services and avenues to justice—is essential; 19
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WHEREAS, Our State’s continued engagement with the challenges faced by victims of 2
crime will ensure that the progress made to date is not lost, and that new ground is broken to gain 3
greater justice and healing for all victims; and 4
WHEREAS, Crime Victims Awareness Month provides an opportunity to recommit to 5
ensuring that accessible, appropriate, and trauma-informed services are offered to all victims of 6
crime and their families; now, therefore be it 7
RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby 8
proclaims April of 2025 to be “Crime Victims Awareness Month” and reaffirms the State’s 9
commitment to victims and survivors in the aftermath of crime, and expresses our sincere 10
gratitude and appreciation to those community members, victim service providers, and criminal 11
justice professionals who are committed to improving our State’s response to all victims of crime 12
in order that they may find relevant assistance, support, justice, and peace; and be it further 13
RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to 14
transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Liz Gledhill, Training Director, Center for 15
Trauma Informed Policing. 16
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LC001795
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