WHEREAS, throughout our country, millions of people of all ages and from all cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds are victimized by crime each year; and

WHEREAS, those who have fallen victim to crime are not always identified or open about their experiences, and many of those victims are our friends, family members, neighbors, co-workers, and community members; and

WHEREAS, we must compassionately and appropriately support victims and survivors of crime and hold 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 crime victims are treated with dignity and respect and provided opportunities to regain their sense of value and security; and

WHEREAS, Crime Victims’ Rights Week provides a chance 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 prioritizes public safety by committing to provide the resources necessary for effective law enforcement and prosecution, thereby increasing opportunities for justice.

NOW THEREFORE, I, Mike Dunleavy, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF ALASKA, do hereby proclaim April 21 – 27, 2024 as:

Crime Victims’ Rights Week

in Alaska and encourage all Alaskans to join in working to make Alaska the safest State in the country and to help ensure victims of crime are supported, protected, and given proper assistance to heal as they look toward a hopeful future.