Backup Documents 04/14/2015 Item # 4F 4 r:
PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, Americans are the victims of more than 26 million crimes each year, and crime can
touch the lives of anyone regardless of age, national origin, race, creed, religion,
gender, sexual orientation, immigration, or economic status; and,
WHEREAS, Many victims face challenges in finding appropriate services, including victims with
disabilities, young victims of color, Deaf and hard of hearing victims, LGBTQ victims,
tribal victims, elder victims, victims with mental illness, immigrant victims, teen
victims, victims with limited English proficiency, and others; and,
WHEREAS, The entire community has a role to ploy. Involving survivors helps victim service
providers and criminal justice professionals understand the culture, values, and
expectations of under- and un-served victims who seek assistance and justice.
Engaging victims' communities and learning from leaders about their unique needs helps
service providers foster a supportive and culturally relevant atmosphere in which
victims seek help and healing. Incorporating communities' existing experts and trusted
sources of support into efforts to fully serve survivors will develop a criminal justice
system response that is truly accessible and appropriate for all victims of crime; and,
WHEREAS, now Victims know best how to direct and manage their own lives, and true recovery
from crime will incorporate a victim's cultural, religious, economic, social, and personal
interests. With the full weight of their community and victim service providers behind
them, survivors will feel empowered to face their grief, loss, fear, anger, and shame,
without fear of judgment and will feel understood and worthy of support; and,
WHEREAS, National Crime Victim's Rights Week, April 19-25, 2015 provides an opportune time to
commit to ensuring that all victims of crime - even those who are challenging to reach
or serve - are offered culturally and linguistically accessible and appropriate services in
the aftermath of crime; and,
WHEREAS, the Collier County Sheriff's Office, State Attorney's Office 201' Judicial Circuit of
Collier County, Project Help, are joining forces with victim service programs, criminal
justice officials and concerned citizens throughout Collier County and America to raise
awareness of victims rights.
NOW THEREFORE, be it proclaimed by the Board of County Commissioners of Collier County, Florida,
that April 19th to 25th be designated as
CRIME VICTIM'S RIGHTS WEEK
DONE AND ORDERED THIS 14th Day of April 2015.
�l\`n Pp;-' BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Y COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA
"
(Yt '
, ` TIM NANCE, CHAIRMAN