California victims of crime are underserved. Too often, victims are unaware of their rights, the methods of exercising those rights, and the locations of services available to them at the state and community levels. Concern for the plight of victims by the state legislature, local governments, and private organizations has increased both awareness of, and ready access to, much-needed assistance for crime victims. Nevertheless, when people become victimized by crime they are often unaware of their rights, and are unfamiliar with the services that are available to them to help address the trauma and cost of victimization. Since the passage of Proposition 9, also known as Marsy’s Law, in 2008, it is even more critical that victims are made aware of their rights. The novel nature of Marsy’s Law has required victim service providers to seek assistance with legal issues.
Through its toll-free 1-800-VICTIMS phone number, victims who might otherwise go unserved can learn of their legal rights and access valuable programs and community resources.
The Victims of Crime Resource Center thus fills an important role. Through its toll-free 1-800-VICTIMS phone number, victims who might otherwise go unserved can learn of their legal rights and access valuable programs and community resources. The Center provides victims with free legal information for ensuring better access to the criminal and juvenile justice systems. The Center also offers free legal research to victim service providers. In addition to the 1-800-VICTIMS
line, the Center operates the www.1800VICTIMS.org website. The website includes up-to-date information on statewide victims’ rights issues, legal matters, and a myriad of victims’ rights publications. Additionally, the website contains a comprehensive statewide list of referrals to local resources. These include victims’ assistance resources, including legal and medical services, domestic violence shelters, financial assistance, counseling services, and victims’ support groups.
As part of our “Know Your Rights” campaign, the Center conducts regular presentations for the Sacramento Food Bank, the Mexican Consulate, domestic violence shelters, and local schools. The Center educates the community on everything from Marsy’s Law to identity theft to domestic violence to cyber bullying. The Center’s goal is to not only prevent victimization, but also to raise awareness that all victims in California have rights in our criminal and juvenile justice systems.
