To: Board of Supervisors
From: Diana Becton, District Attorney
Report Title: National Crime Victims’ Rights Week April 19-25, 2026
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
ADOPT Resolution No. 2026/XXX proclaiming April 19th through April 25th, 2026 as National Crime Victims' Rights Week in promotion of victims' rights and to recognize crime victims and those who advocate on their behalf, as recommended by the District Attorney.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None
BACKGROUND:
In April 1981, President Ronald Reagan proclaimed the first national "Crime Victims Week." National Crime Victims' Rights Week offers an opportunity to renew our commitment to crime victims by strengthening our partnerships and creating new ones, upholding the constitutional mandates of Marsy's Law and mobilizing organizations and their leaders to continue the commitment to crime victims and the safety of our community. This year’s theme is “Listen. Act. Advocate. Protect Victims, serve communities” which is a call to action to recognize and support victims of crime. Victims’ Rights Week recognizes prosecutors, support staff, law enforcement, crime victims and community members who have overcome so much to make our community safer.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
The Board of Supervisors of Contra Costa County, California
body
IN THE MATTER OF National Crime Victims' Rights Week 2026
WHEREAS, the term “victim” is more than just a label and has legal standing and protections that go along with it under Marsy’s Law;
Whereas crime victims’ rights acts passed here in California and at the federal level guarantee victims the right to meaningfully participate and use their voice in the criminal justice process;
Whereas crime affects individuals, families and communities in profound and varied ways, often leaving lasting physical, emotional and social challenges;
Whereas the right to provide an impact statement ensures that victims’ voices are considered in court during the sentencing and, when applicable, restitution is ordered;
Whereas including and elevating the voices of survivors makes certain they are heard and seen and creates a path to forging and sustaining community trust;
Whereas engaging survivors creates responses and services that are credible, meaningful, and centered on individual needs;
Whereas the concept of protecting victims and serving communities underscores the need for victim centered processes and highlights the shared strength among survivors;
Whereas National Crime Victims’ Rights Week provides an opportunity to recommit to respecting the experience of crime survivors in every space where decisions are made that could impact them; and
Whereas Contra Costa County is hereby dedicated to amplifying the voices of victims and creating an environment where victims have the confidence that they will be heard, believed, and supported.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: the Board of Supervisors proclaims the week of April 19th -25th, 2026 as National Crime Victims' Rights Week, reaffirming the County's commitment to creating a victim service and criminal justice system response that assists all victims of crime during Crime Victims' Rights Week and throughout the year; and expressing our sincere gratitude and appreciation for those community members, victim service providers, and criminal justice professionals who are committed to improving our response to all victims of crime so that they may find victim-centered assistance, support, justice, and peace.