THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, COUNTY OF SAN MATEO, STATE OF CALIFORNIA DESIGNATING APRIL 18 THROUGH APRIL 24, 2010 AS

CRIME VICTIMS’ RIGHTS WEEK

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WHEREAS, 21 million Americans are victims of crime each year, and may experience emotional, physical, psychological and financial harm as a result, so we need to acknowledge crime’s impact on individuals, families and communities and ensure that victims are treated with fairness, dignity and respect as they interact with the criminal justice system; and

WHEREAS, victims’ rights laws exist in every state and there are more than 32 state constitution victims’ rights amendments that enshrine the above ideals; and

WHEREAS, we must work to ensure fair treatment of crime victims by providing protection for child and sexual assault victims, ordering and enforcing victim restitution from offenders, and notifying victims of their right to compensation and services, thereby giving hope to victims that the criminal justice system will respect their rights and needs; and

WHEREAS, in San Mateo County, the Victim Center staff work collaboratively with law enforcement officers, prosecutors, probation officers, social workers, staff from local community agencies, and private-practice therapists to serve victims with compassion and respect; and

WHEREAS, San Mateo County operates a Victim Center Program that last year processed over 3,350 victim referrals from law enforcement, had contact with over 2,900 new victims of which approximately 600 were victims of domestic violence, over 380 were victims of sexual assault (adults & children), over 240 were victims of assault, and compensation claims were filed for over 600 victims.

WHEREAS, San Mateo County is joining forces with victim service programs and criminal justice agencies throughout the nation to raise awareness of victims’ rights and observe National Crime Victims’ Rights Week.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED that the Board of Supervisors of the County of San Mateo, State of California in conjunction with National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, does hereby designate the week of April 18- April 24, 2010 as Crime Victims’ Rights Week in San Mateo County.

Dated: March 30, 2010

SUPERVISORS:

RICHARD S. GORDON, President

MARK CHURCH

CAROLE GROOM

ROSE JACOBS GIBSON

ADRIENNE J. TISSIER

Attest:

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Deputy Clerk of the Board of Supervisors