Getting victims of crimes information on how they can get help is the focus of a bill recently passed by the New York State Senate and Assembly.
The bill, which will now be sent to Governor David Paterson to sign, will require places where crimes are reported to provide printed information about social services and financial assistance to victims. Some of these locations are police stations, district attorney offices, hospitals, and domestic violence or homeless shelters.
“This legislation will assist victims of crimes at a time when they most need it – as they try to put their lives back together after going to the authorities to report the incident,” said bill sponsor Senator Toby Ann Stavisky. “Crime victims who know their rights and are familiar with the services available to them are more likely to get the help they need and to cooperate with authorities, which will make our cities safer and more prosperous in the long run.”
The information cards will be provided by the New York State Crime Victims Board or Office of Children and Family Services. These cards will include information such as victim assistance hotlines, domestic violence shelters and programs, rape crisis centers, and elderly victim projects.
“Recognizing the importance of assuring that victims get the most accurate information and highest quality assistance available, this new law will ensure that victims are provided with information about local assistance programs…,” said Assemblymember Nettie Mayersohn, a co-sponsor of the bill.
“As we consider ways in which we can better assist victims of crime, it is important to remember that victims can suffer severe physical, psychological and/or financial impairment and every effort needs to be made to inform them of their rights and provide them with connections to assistance programs of the highest caliber,” Mayersohn continued. “Getting the right kind of help from the very beginning can ease the road to recovery from trauma.”
