WHEREAS, throughout our country, millions of people of all ages, and from all cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds, find themselves victimized by crime each year; and
WHEREAS, those who have fallen victim to crime are not always identified or open about their experiences, and those victims include our friends, family, neighbors, co-workers, and community members; and
WHEREAS, our society, must compassionately and appropriately support victims and survivors of crime while also holding offenders accountable; and
WHEREAS, all victims deserve support and encouragement as they recover and move forward with their lives, and specialized victim assistance programs provide help and support to victims of all types of crimes including abuse, stalking, drunk driving, and assault; and
WHEREAS, we applaud and acknowledge the progress we have made in safeguarding victims’ rights, but we also recognize that more steps are required to ensure that crime victims are treated with dignity and respect and provided with opportunities to regain their sense of value and security; and
WHEREAS, Crime Victims’ Rights Week provides us with an opportunity to recognize the impact that crime has on our communities, to celebrate the survivors and the advocates who fight for services and treatment for victims of crime, and to recommit to ensuring that accessible, appropriate, and trauma-informed services are offered to all victims of crime; and
WHEREAS, the State of Alaska is committed to fostering a safer tomorrow by committing the necessary resources for increased law enforcement, more prosecutors, and by being tough on crime. Alaska is making public safety a priority and creating opportunities for justice.
NOW THEREFORE, I, Mike Dunleavy, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF ALASKA, do hereby proclaim April 23 – 29, 2023 as:
Crime Victims’ Rights Week
in Alaska, and encourage all Alaskans to join in making Alaska the safest in the country, and do our part to ensure victims of crime are supported, protected, and given proper assistance to heal as they look toward a hopeful future.
Dated: April 23, 2023
