NOW - NEW YORK STATE SUPPORT MEMO
A-00583 (Pretlow) - Broadens the Acceptable Documents for Eligibility of Compensation for Sexual Crimes
March 2005 |
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This legislation creates a victim-friendly environment for those who have suffered rape, sexual assault, child abuse or domestic violence by authorizing the crime victims' board to accept official documents other than police reports in these cases.
Many victims of sexual abuse do not file police reports out of fear or shame. Reporting to the police sometimes does not seem like a safe or effective option for women who fear continued or heightened abuse as a result of involving the authorities. Victims already suffer tremendously, and failure to file a police report should not prevent them from receiving government acknowledgement or compensation.
The Federal Office for Victims of Crime supports the changes as proposed in this legislation.
The National Organization for Women - New York State, Inc. supports this legislation and urges the NYS Legislature to do the same and create a more victim-friendly environment in New York State.
Marcia A. Pappas, President, NOW-NYS, Inc.
Lori Gardner, Executive VP
Barbara Kirkpatrick, Legislative Vice President
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