White Plains CitizeNetReporter - <i>Adam In Albany:</i> Crime Victims Roadmap To Rehab, Help Passed by Assembly

WPCNR'S ADAM IN ALBANY. By District 89 Assemblyman Adam Bradley. April 11, 2003:From April 7th through the 11th, families across our state observed Crime Victims’ Week – a time to promote respect and dignity for millions of people throughout the country. Recognizing how important this week is to so many New Yorkers, the Assembly passed a legislative package designed to assist crime victims as they navigate through the bureaucracy.

These legislative initiatives seek to ensure that crime victims get the help they need, and that they are always notified of the assistance that is available.

Because many crime victims are unaware of whom and where they can turn to for help, the Assembly is working to create standard procedures on how to make assistance information readily available. Our legislation would require police officers and district attorneys to provide victims with information on the state Crime Victims Board (CVB) and the services it provides (A.1739).

The Assembly’s legislation would also alleviate financial hardships that may be created as the result of a crime by compensating parents who lost wages resulting from caring for a child hospitalized due to a crime (A.3097); requiring the CVA to explain a victim’s claim denial (A.2853); reimbursing health care institutions for sexual assault forensic examinations – removing victims from the insurance claims process while they cope with an assault (A.11); and expanding the definition of a necessary court appearance to increase coverage of transportation costs for victims (A.4011).

To provide members and staff of the CVB with the skills and knowledge needed to work compassionately with victims, the Assembly’s package also includes legislation requiring CVB personnel to attend regular training programs (A.1738). Similar sensitivity training would be offered to law enforcement officials and providers of victims’ assistance services. It’s important for crime victims to feel comfortable with the people who are supposed to help them through their ordeal.

When people go through traumatic events, like being the victim of a crime, they must be able to devote their time and energy to their emotional and/or physical recovery. This time shouldn’t be weighed down by red tape and bureaucratic gridlock. This legislation is a strong start to making sure crime victims are spared further trauma inflicted by an often insensitive bureaucracy.


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