SR0939 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0939 LRB102 27017 LAW 38282 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, On March 30, 2022, more than 200 Illinois crime survivors will travel to the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield for Survivors Speak Illinois 2022; and

WHEREAS, These survivors are gathering to heal together, share their stories, and advocate for change; and

WHEREAS, Survivors Speak Illinois 2022 is organized by Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice and the Alliance for Safety and Justice; and

WHEREAS, Crime and violence can leave harm on any individual and community, regardless of age, national origin, race, creed, religion, gender, sexual orientation, immigration, or economic status; and

WHEREAS, There is a need for the State of Illinois to invest in programs that provide assistance to crime survivors and their families to effectively deal with the inherent trauma and residual effects of violence; and

WHEREAS, Illinois must support trauma recovery centers that play a critical role and are an important resource for survivors impacted by crime; and

WHEREAS, Illinois must address the immediate safety concerns facing families and invest in a long-term, comprehensive plan to address the root causes of violence; and

WHEREAS, The voices and experiences of survivors have too often been ignored, leading to poor policy and justice system decisions that fail to meet the needs of survivors or stop the cycle of crime; and

WHEREAS, Most crime survivors do not receive the help they need; and

WHEREAS, Only eight percent of all survivors of violence receive direct assistance from a victim service agency; this drops to four percent when the crime is unreported, which is the case for more than half of all violent crimes; and

WHEREAS, Crime survivors understand existing gaps to recovery and how to bridge them; and

WHEREAS, Crime survivors want a system of justice and safety that prioritizes prevention, rehabilitation, and trauma recovery; and

WHEREAS, Through their experiences, crime survivors are uniquely qualified to provide essential input and influence in discussions of public safety and criminal justice policy; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we support the survivors and advocates of Survivors Speak Illinois 2022 in their work to stop violence and help those impacted by it; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice and the Alliance for Safety and Justice.