National Crime Victims' Rights Week, 2010

Proclamation 8499 of April 16, 2010

National Crime Victims' Rights Week, 2010

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Millions of Americans fall prey to criminal behavior
every year, and still more suffer the physical,
emotional, and psychological pain of past offenses.
This week, we renew our commitment to supporting crime
victims and preventing crimes that threaten our
families and our communities.

Our Nation's prosperity depends on the safety and
security of all Americans. Though crime rates have
declined in recent years, crime and its devastating
effects still require our constant vigilance and
attention. To help protect our citizens and make our
neighborhoods safer, last year's landmark American
Recovery and Reinvestment Act included funding for
crime prevention programs, criminal justice
initiatives, and services for victims. Dedicated
individuals, organizations, and agencies across our
Nation are also aiding this effort, caring for the
survivors of crime by providing shelter, counseling,
and other types of assistance.

While any person or community may experience crime,
some groups are disproportionately affected. Nearly
half of all murder victims are African Americans, and
Native American women suffer one of the highest rates
of sexual assault of any ethnic group. These
disparities are an affront to all Americans, and we
must address them with innovative policing strategies
and greater community involvement.

Beyond violent crime and property crime, we must also
fight white-collar crime and protect its victims,
including those recovering from financial fraud.
Through my Administration's Financial Fraud Enforcement
Task Force and other initiatives, we are cracking down
on mortgage fraud and predatory lending practices.
Programs for victims of these crimes can help restore
economic security after a family loses its life savings
or home due to cruel deception.

During National Crime Victims' Rights Week, we reaffirm
our support for victims and survivors of crime, and we
recommit to strengthening the Federal, State, and local
partnerships that are reducing criminal activity.
Together, we will build a safer, more secure America.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the
United States of America, by virtue of the authority
vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the
United States, do hereby proclaim April 18 through
April 24, 2010, as National Crime Victims' Rights Week.
I call upon all Americans to observe this week with
events and activities that raise awareness of victims'
rights, and by volunteering to serve their fellow
citizens.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
sixteenth day of April, in the year of our Lord two
thousand ten, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth.