HOUSE RESOLUTION PROCLAIMING APRIL OF 2025, TO BE "CRIME VICTIMS AWARENESS MONTH" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Chris Blazejewski and 9 co-sponsors

Designates April 2025 as Crime Victims Awareness Month in Rhode Island, reaffirming commitment to fair, trauma-informed support for victims and honoring advocates and providers.

04/08/2025 House read and passed

Overview

HR 6193 is a Rhode Island House Resolution that proclaims April 2025 as “Crime Victims Awareness Month” in the state. The resolution is ceremonial in nature, recognizing the experiences of crime victims and reaffirming the state’s commitment to victim services and trauma-informed support. The House of Representatives passed the measure on April 8, 2025.

Purpose and Intent

Officially designate April 2025 as Crime Victims Awareness Month in Rhode Island.

Reaffirm the state's commitment to treating crime victims with fairness, dignity, and respect.

Acknowledge the importance of accessible, trauma-informed services and outreach to all victims, including groups with historically less access to resources.

Express gratitude to victims, survivor advocates, victim service providers, and criminal justice professionals working to improve responses to victims of crime.

Key Provisions

Proclamation: “April of 2025” is proclaimed as Crime Victims Awareness Month in Rhode Island.

Commitment reaffirmed: The state pledges ongoing support for victims and survivors in the aftermath of crime, emphasizing justice, support, and healing.

Recognition of contributors: Acknowledges the efforts of community members, victim service providers, and criminal justice professionals.

Transmission directive: The Secretary of State is authorized and directed to transmit a certified copy of the resolution to Liz Gledhill, Training Director, Center for Trauma Informed Policing.

Background and Context

The resolution references 2024 crime data from the Rhode Island State Police and Department of Public Safety (e.g., 232 robberies, 1,032 assaults, 325 sexual crimes, 23 homicides) to underscore the ongoing need for victim support and awareness.

Cites the Victims of Crime Act of 1984 as part of the legislative history supporting victim services and rights.

Emphasizes the importance of outreach, access to services, and trauma-informed responses to victims and their families.

Procedural History and Timeline

Introduced: April 8, 2025 (per the version content).

Referred to multiple committees as part of the legislative process (Ways and Means; Veterans’ Affairs; Transportation and Infrastructure; Oversight and Government Reform) for potential provisions within their jurisdictions.

Status: House read and passed on April 8, 2025.

Note: Some sources in the provided materials show inconsistent dates for introduction (late 2025). The official text for the resolution indicates introduction and passage in April 2025.

Impact and Scope

Fiscal Impact: None identified (ceremonial proclamation).

Legal Effect: Non-binding; serves as a formal acknowledgment and a call to support victims and trauma-informed practices.

Audience: Victims of crime, victim service agencies, criminal justice professionals, and the general public in Rhode Island.

If you’d like, I can adapt this into a one-page briefing for policymakers or a short press-ready summary for media.

Bill