Crime Survivors, Victims’ Families, State Legislators Call For Passage of Fair Access to Victim Compensation

by Kathy Grear 04/24/2023

Comes as Senate Crime Committee Votes on Wednesday, New Data Shows Racial Disparities in Victim Compensation

Albany, NY (April 24, 2023) – Common Justice, a New York nonprofit that builds transformative solutions to violence without incarceration, will rally with crime survivors, legislators, and statewide coalition members at the NYS Capitol tomorrow to call for measures that will better support survivors in the wake of a crime. The legislation, sponsored by State Senator Zellnor Myrie and Assembly Member Demond Meeks, would increase access to lifesaving resources for victims of violence by expanding eligibility requirements for victim compensation, such as allowing crime documentation alternatives to law enforcement, and extending the application deadline from one to three years.

The coalition calls for expanded access to crucial funding for victims during National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, which runs from April 23rd through 29th. It also comes as new data shows race plays a central role in the success of a victim’s application to the Office of Victim Services (OVS) for compensation. Between 2018 and 2020, Black victims were 17.5% less likely to be awarded compensation compared to their white counterparts, even though most crime victims in NYC are Black and Brown individuals. Victims of color are less likely to apply in the first place, due to a police reporting requirement that deters many Black and Brown victims from completing the application.

Advocates and survivors will march to the Million Dollar staircase to make their case to Albany ahead of the Senate Crime Committee’s vote on the amended bill on Wednesday. Participants will include:

• Oresa Napper-Williams, Founder and Executive Director of Not Another Child Inc, will speak to her advocacy against gun violence and support of grieving families. Her son, Andrell, was killed by gun violence in 2006.
• Kilsy Hildago, Founder of Long Live Our Butterfly in memory of her sister, Elizabeth Romana Rodriquez, who lost her life from domestic violence. Kilsy is still advocating to receive victim compensation for her family and supports domestic violence survivors.
• Deja Renea, a survivor of police brutality and assault who did not feel comfortable reporting her attack to the police, a requirement to receive compensation, leaving her no other options and barring her access from compensation.
• Marquis Jenkins, Director of Organizing, Common Justice.
• State Senator Zellnor, Myrie, lead sponsor of the legislation in the Senate.
• Assembly Member Demond Meeks, lead sponsor of the legislation in the Assembly.
• State Senator Julia Salazar, Chair of the Senate’s Committee on Crime and Correction.

In fall 2021, Common Justice launched a statewide campaign designed to make victim compensation laws and policies more equitable by removing barriers survivors and victims’ families face when attempting to collect these critical funds. Since then, the campaign is led by leading victim service organizations including, Safe Horizons, New Yorkers Against Gun Violence, New York State Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Not Another Child, Everytown for Gun Safety, and Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence, and has gained the support of over 43 organizations. Since its inception the coalition has pushed forward its first piece of legislation – the Fair Access to Victim Compensation bill.

WHO:

• Marquis Jenkins: Director of Organizing, Common Justice
• Oresa Napper-Willams: Executive Director, Not Another Child Inc
• Kilsy Hildago: Founder, Long Live Our Butterfly
• Zellnor Myrie: New York State Senator (D-20)
• Julia Salazar: New York State Senator (D-18)
• Demond Meeks: New York Assembly Member (D-137)
• Deja Renea, advocate for victim compensation
• Other members of Common Justice, legislators, advocates, and crime victim survivors

WHEN:

April 25, 2023

March to Stairs: 9:30 am

Press Conference: 10:15 am

WHERE:

New York State Capitol, Million Dollar Staircase

State St. and, Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12224

About Common Justice:

Common Justice develops and advances solutions to violence that transform the lives of those harmed and foster racial equity without relying on incarceration. In New York City, the organization operates the first alternative-to-incarceration and victim service program in the United States that focuses on violent felonies in the adult courts.

Common Justice’s policy and organizing work seeks to build power in Black and Brown communities that have been disproportionately impacted by violence. Our work uplifts and centers the needs of survivors of violence, as well as those who have been adversely impacted by violence, including interpersonal, community and state violence.

To learn more, visit commonjustice.org.