NATIONAL CRIME VICTIMS’ RIGHTS WEEK
April 19-25, 2026
WHEREAS, violent crime touches too many people in Palo Alto, as it does in all parts of our county; and
WHEREAS, since 1981, National Crime Victims’ Rights Week has served as a time to honor the strength and resilience of crime victims, elevate their voices, and reaffirm our commitment to ensuring justice, healing, and support for all those impacted by crime; and
WHEREAS, crime victims and their families often face emotional, physical, and financial hardships, and it is essential that they are treated with dignity, respect, and compassion while being informed of, and able to exercise, their rights; and
WHEREAS, the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office Victim Services Unit (VSU) is the designated Victim Witness Assistance Program pursuant to California Penal Code §13835, providing comprehensive, trauma - informed, and client-centered services to victims of all types of crime, regardless of whether charges are filed; and
WHEREAS, the VSU is staffed by specially trained professionals who assist victims in understanding and exercising their rights throughout and beyond the criminal justice process, including providing crisis intervention, emergency assistance, court support, resource referrals, and assistance with compensation and restitution; and
WHEREAS, in the past year, the VSU has demonstrated its commitment to the community by providing over 79,000 services to more than 7,350 crime victims throughout Santa Clara County; and
WHEREAS, the VSU Claims Unit processed over 2,400 California Victim Compensation Board applications in 2025, securing $1,896,466 in financial assistance to help victims, including those in Palo Alto, recover from crime - related expenses; and
WHEREAS, in 2025, the District Attorney’s Office expanded access to the VSU in North County by offering in- person victim advocate services at the Palo Alto branch of the District Attorney’s Office, increasing accessibility for local residents; and
WHEREAS, raising awareness of victims’ rights and available services strengthens our community’s ability to respond to and support those impacted by crime, ensuring that no victim feels alone on their path toward healing and justice.
NOW, THEREFORE I, Vicki Veenker, Mayor of the City of Palo Alto on behalf of the entire City Council, do hereby proclaim April 19–25, 2026, as National Crime Victims’ Rights Week in the City of Palo Alto, and encourage all residents to recognize the importance of victims’ rights, support those impacted by crime, and promote access to services that foster safety, healing, and justice for all.
Presented: April 20, 2026
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Vicki Veenker
Mayor
Proclamation