WHEREAS, we join with victims' rights organizations, local law enforcement, Nevada residents, Marsy's Law for Nevada, the Office for Victims of Crime, the Division of Child and Family Services and U.S. Department of Justice, to call for the support of victims of crime; and

WHEREAS, National Crime Victims' Rights Week, April 21-27, 2024, serves to recognize the needs of crime victims, and the importance of securing their voice and rights; and

WHEREAS, the sentiment is embodied in this year's theme, "How Would You Help? Options, services, and hope for crime survivors." It focuses on our responsibility as a community to remember the victims of crime and engage our neighbors to ensure we keep the rights of victims in mind; and

WHEREAS, in Nevada, law enforcement agencies report investigating more than 12,842 incidents of "violent crimes" including murder, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault. The statistics are recorded in the FBI's 2022 "National Incident-Based Reporting System, NIBRS; and

WHEREAS, victims of all ages, races, and socio-economic status are among the list of victimized. Nevada law, as approved in 2018 with Marsy's Law for Nevada, provides for constitutionally protected requirements for victims who want to be involved. Among them: the right to be treated with fairness and respect through the judicial process, to be notified of a defendant's impending release, to be notified of all public legal proceedings, the right to be reasonably heard and considered; and

WHEREAS, we applaud the work of advocacy organizations statewide such as SafeNest, Nevada Coalition to END Domestic and Sexual Violence, Domestic Violence Resource Center, A Safe Embrace, Tu Casa Latina, HopeLink of So. NV, SAFE House, and many more advocates including Marsy's Law for Nevada, law enforcement, our judicial leaders and good citizens who stand up for the rights of victims and help them rebuild their lives after being victimized; and

WHEREAS, we stand with community partners, citizens, and colleagues across Nevada and nationwide to recognize the 43rd annual National Crime Victims' Rights Week, and recognize the importance of protections for victims of crime; and

WHEREAS, we call on Nevada residents and businesses to shine a light on the importance of crime victims' rights and GO PURPLE April 21st to 27th, #NCVRW2024 #VictimsRightsNV #GoPurpleMLNV;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOE LOMBARDO, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, do hereby proclaim April 21-27, 2024 as

CRIME VICTIMS’ RIGHTS WEEK IN NEVADA