(Woodland, CA) – (March 11, 2022) – Yolo County District Attorney Jeff Reisig and the Victim Services Program will recognize 2022 National Crime Victims’ Rights Week with two community commemorations.
This year’s Crime Victim Rights Week is April 24th through April 30th and the theme is “Rights, access, equity, for all victims.” This theme serves as a reminder that all victims have rights under Marsy’s Law and it is the duty of the criminal justice system to ensure that victims know their rights and are able to access them.
“If victims are to trust that the criminal justice system will work for them, we have to focus our attention on the victim after the crime occurs. We must meet them where they are—physically, culturally, and emotionally,” said Laura Valdes, Program Manager of Yolo County DA Victim Services. “We can all play a role in helping victims as they rebuild their lives.”
In California, the rights of crime survivors are a part of the California state Constitution under Marsy’s Law. This law is named after Marsalee Ann Nicholas, a student at the University of California Santa Barbara. In 1983 she was stalked and murdered by her boyfriend. After learning that the courts and law enforcement had no obligation to inform the family, her brother began advocating for the rights of crime victims and surviving family members of homicide victims. In November 2008, Proposition 9 was passed into law, and The California Victims’ Bill of Rights Act of 2008: Marsy’s Law, was enacted. This law adds seventeen crime victims’ rights to the California State Constitution.
Yolo County District Attorney’s Office will highlight the continuing importance of ensuring equal access to victims’ rights by presenting a resolution to the Yolo County Board of Supervisors on April 12th at 9:00 AM (https://www.yolocounty.org/government/board-of-supervisors/board-meetings) asking them to proclaim April 24-30, 2022, as National Crime Victims’ Rights Week.
Victim Services will also host the 16th annual Victims’ Rights Week tribute, on April 26th at 12:00 PM. Due to current COVID safety restrictions, we have opted to host this year’s event virtually. You may watch the live stream on the District Attorney’s website (https://www.yoloda.org), Facebook (@YoloCoDistrictAttorney), or Twitter (@YoloDA).
The Yolo County District Attorney’s Office invites the community to attend the tribute to hear the stories of survivors who have persisted despite the crimes committed against them. For additional information about National Crime Victims’ Rights Week and how to help survivors of crime in your community, please contact Yolo County Victim Services at (530) 666-8187 or visit www.yoloda.org.
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