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Marsy's Law for Nevada Passes!
On November 6, 2018, voters in Nevada passed Marsy’s Law with over 61% of the vote!
Nevada Voters Approve Effort to Guarantee Victims’ Rights
November 06, 2018
LAS VEGAS, NV - Consider it a victory for every Nevadan. Tonight, the voters of our state have approved Question 1 which will strengthen and expand victims’ rights in the state constitution. The YES vote follows the approval of state lawmakers in two separate legislative sessions in 2015 and 2017 through the advocacy of state and leaders, businesses, advocacy organizations, law enforcement, and legal experts across Nevada. Together we have worked to bring awareness to residents about the lack of enforceable guarantees for Nevada victims of crime during the judicial process.
“No longer will Nevada be one of a handful of states without strong, guaranteed, constitutional rights for victims,” said Marsy’s Law for Nevada State Director, Will Batista. “With the approval of Question 1 on the ballot, Nevada voters have sent a clear message that victims deserve more consideration and protections during the judicial process.” Nevada Assemblywoman Teresa Benitez-Thompson (D-27) has said, “This represents so much energy, so much passion, so much work that has been done by victims and their supporters to say that we need a change, and we need this change to happen in the best way possible that's going to support the most amount of people.” Nevada State Senator Scott Hammond (R-18), said, “Thanks to this victory, victims will soon find the judicial system less confusing, and feel more relevant as their case moves through the criminal justice process.” We thank the citizens across Nevada who voted YES on Question 1 for victims’ rights. It has been an honor to work on behalf of every Nevadan.
On November 6, 2018, voters in Nevada passed Marsy’s Law with over 61% of the vote!
Nevada Voters Approve Effort to Guarantee Victims’ Rights
November 06, 2018
LAS VEGAS, NV - Consider it a victory for every Nevadan. Tonight, the voters of our state have approved Question 1 which will strengthen and expand victims’ rights in the state constitution. The YES vote follows the approval of state lawmakers in two separate legislative sessions in 2015 and 2017 through the advocacy of state and leaders, businesses, advocacy organizations, law enforcement, and legal experts across Nevada. Together we have worked to bring awareness to residents about the lack of enforceable guarantees for Nevada victims of crime during the judicial process.
“No longer will Nevada be one of a handful of states without strong, guaranteed, constitutional rights for victims,” said Marsy’s Law for Nevada State Director, Will Batista. “With the approval of Question 1 on the ballot, Nevada voters have sent a clear message that victims deserve more consideration and protections during the judicial process.” Nevada Assemblywoman Teresa Benitez-Thompson (D-27) has said, “This represents so much energy, so much passion, so much work that has been done by victims and their supporters to say that we need a change, and we need this change to happen in the best way possible that's going to support the most amount of people.” Nevada State Senator Scott Hammond (R-18), said, “Thanks to this victory, victims will soon find the judicial system less confusing, and feel more relevant as their case moves through the criminal justice process.” We thank the citizens across Nevada who voted YES on Question 1 for victims’ rights. It has been an honor to work on behalf of every Nevadan.
RENO, Nev. (News 4 & Fox 11) — An annual ceremony on Wednesday recognized the victims of crime across Washoe County with a vigil and more.
The event was held at the Mills B. Lane Justice Center in Reno and featured a candlelight vigil and ceremony outside the courthouse. News 4's Shelby Sheehan served as emcee.
Before the ceremony, attendees heard from Murad Amin, the 14-year-old son of slain cab driver Amin. Members of local law enforcement and Washoe County District Attorney Chris Hicks were in attendance.
More than 10 local groups were recognized as well for their work in crime victims' rights.
The ceremony coincides with National Crime Victims' Rights Week.
Read the full story here - http://mynews4.com/news/local/ceremony-recognizes-victims-of-crime-in-washoe-county
The event was held at the Mills B. Lane Justice Center in Reno and featured a candlelight vigil and ceremony outside the courthouse. News 4's Shelby Sheehan served as emcee.
Before the ceremony, attendees heard from Murad Amin, the 14-year-old son of slain cab driver Amin. Members of local law enforcement and Washoe County District Attorney Chris Hicks were in attendance.
More than 10 local groups were recognized as well for their work in crime victims' rights.
The ceremony coincides with National Crime Victims' Rights Week.
Read the full story here - http://mynews4.com/news/local/ceremony-recognizes-victims-of-crime-in-washoe-county
Nevada bill would extend limitations for child sexual abuse victims to sue
CARSON CITY — Victims of child sexual abuse lined up to testify before Nevada lawmakers Wednesday, recounting crimes they endured decades ago.
Many would gain nothing from Assembly Bill 145, but it would empower future victims, they said.
“Give us a fighting chance, because we, the victims, have a life sentence of the crime perpetrated against us,” testified Linda Kirkpatrick, who said she was sexually abused as a child. “Where are our rights?”
AB145 would extend the Nevada statute of limitations for victims to sue by another decade, from 10 years to 20 years. Time starts applying toward the statute of limitations after a victim turns 18 or discovers an injury was caused by the abuse, whichever comes later.
The bill is sponsored by Assemblywoman Lisa Krasner, R-Reno, and Speaker Pro Tempore Irene Bustamante Adams, D-Las Vegas.
They were joined at an Assembly Judiciary Committee hearing by celebrity attorney Gloria Allred, who has represented victims in civil cases involving alleged sexual misconduct by figures such as comedian Bill Cosby. She said the bill would empower victims, who often need years to realize what happened.
“This means, instead of having the courthouse door slammed in their face because it is too late to file a lawsuit, the door to justice will remain open,” Allred told lawmakers.
Kimberly Mull, with the Nevada Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence, told lawmakers: “I’m a survivor of child pornography.”
Victims’ suffering doesn’t expire, said Mull, 31. “There is no statute of limitations on when trauma can come to the surface.”
The bill also would extend to 20 years the statute of limitations for victims to sue if they appeared in pornographic material while younger than 16.
Victims recounted wide-reaching damages after the abuse: broken relationships and marriages; drug and alcohol abuse; therapy and medication costs.
Kirkpatrick, 60, an Allred client, also has alleged that Cosby drugged and assaulted her at the Las Vegas Hilton when she was 24. Cosby, who has faced allegations from dozens of women and has a pending criminal case in Pennsylvania, has denied wrongdoing.
“I have had four failed marriages,” Kirkpatrick said. “My mother told me I was bad at picking men.”
The bill would extend the statute of limitations only for cases in which the former 10-year statute of limitations has not expired.
No one spoke in opposition to the bill.
From Las Vegas Review-Journal 3-1-2017
Read article at http://www.reviewjournal.com/news/politics-and-government/nevada/nevada-bill-would-extend-limitations-child-sexual-abuse-victims
CARSON CITY — Victims of child sexual abuse lined up to testify before Nevada lawmakers Wednesday, recounting crimes they endured decades ago.
Many would gain nothing from Assembly Bill 145, but it would empower future victims, they said.
“Give us a fighting chance, because we, the victims, have a life sentence of the crime perpetrated against us,” testified Linda Kirkpatrick, who said she was sexually abused as a child. “Where are our rights?”
AB145 would extend the Nevada statute of limitations for victims to sue by another decade, from 10 years to 20 years. Time starts applying toward the statute of limitations after a victim turns 18 or discovers an injury was caused by the abuse, whichever comes later.
The bill is sponsored by Assemblywoman Lisa Krasner, R-Reno, and Speaker Pro Tempore Irene Bustamante Adams, D-Las Vegas.
They were joined at an Assembly Judiciary Committee hearing by celebrity attorney Gloria Allred, who has represented victims in civil cases involving alleged sexual misconduct by figures such as comedian Bill Cosby. She said the bill would empower victims, who often need years to realize what happened.
“This means, instead of having the courthouse door slammed in their face because it is too late to file a lawsuit, the door to justice will remain open,” Allred told lawmakers.
Kimberly Mull, with the Nevada Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence, told lawmakers: “I’m a survivor of child pornography.”
Victims’ suffering doesn’t expire, said Mull, 31. “There is no statute of limitations on when trauma can come to the surface.”
The bill also would extend to 20 years the statute of limitations for victims to sue if they appeared in pornographic material while younger than 16.
Victims recounted wide-reaching damages after the abuse: broken relationships and marriages; drug and alcohol abuse; therapy and medication costs.
Kirkpatrick, 60, an Allred client, also has alleged that Cosby drugged and assaulted her at the Las Vegas Hilton when she was 24. Cosby, who has faced allegations from dozens of women and has a pending criminal case in Pennsylvania, has denied wrongdoing.
“I have had four failed marriages,” Kirkpatrick said. “My mother told me I was bad at picking men.”
The bill would extend the statute of limitations only for cases in which the former 10-year statute of limitations has not expired.
No one spoke in opposition to the bill.
From Las Vegas Review-Journal 3-1-2017
Read article at http://www.reviewjournal.com/news/politics-and-government/nevada/nevada-bill-would-extend-limitations-child-sexual-abuse-victims
2016 Annual Candlelight Vigil and Award Ceremony Press Coverage
Watch the video on Channel 2 News at http://www.ktvn.com/story/31719685/washoe-county-celebrates-crime-victims-rights-week
2015 Candlelight Vigil - Reno Gazette Journal
by Marcela Corona
"Engaging Communities, Empowering Victims."
That's the message for this year's candlelight vigil and award ceremony celebrating local heroes, supporting survivors and bringing awareness of all crime victims.
The event was organized by the Alliance for Victims Rights and is set for 5:30 p.m. on the third floor of the Mills B. Lane Justice Center in downtown Reno.
"This is a wonderful event which will recognize the heroes in our community who work with crime victims every day, as well as honor those effected by violent crime in our community," Megan Long, Alliance for Victims' Right secretary and victim advocate with Washoe County School Police, said in a statement Tuesday.
The event coincides with National Crime Victims' Rights Week and will honor community members and organizations working to support victims and families.
"National Crime Victims' Rights Week is a time where we can help support survivors and remind our community that there are a variety of amazing people and organizations here that are ready to step up and help in recovery."
The vigil includes an award ceremony, music by the Reno High School orchestra and the 5 Feather Drumming Circle, organizers said in a release. The event will also feature a presentation from a man who lost family members to a homicide and from the Reno Color Guard.
Other speakers include Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve, Sheriff Chuck Allen and Washoe County District Attorney Chris Hicks.
"The community will have the opportunity not only to honor these heroes, but to see how survivors are moving forward in positive ways in the wake of tragedy," Long said in the statement. "This is such an important message for everyone in our community."
The Crimes Victim Fund, financed by fines and penalties paid by offenders, supports victim assistance and services, such as rape crisis and domestic violence programs. That includes compensation programs that pay out-of-pocket expenses such as counseling, funeral expenses, and lost wages, organizers said.
Outreach is focused on previously undeserved victim populations including people of color, religious and ethnic minorities and immigrants. That also includes the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities.
Information about community resources and support options will also be distributed, organizers said.
For information, contact Alliance for Victims' Right at 775-333-3799 or online at www.avrnv.org.
by Marcela Corona
"Engaging Communities, Empowering Victims."
That's the message for this year's candlelight vigil and award ceremony celebrating local heroes, supporting survivors and bringing awareness of all crime victims.
The event was organized by the Alliance for Victims Rights and is set for 5:30 p.m. on the third floor of the Mills B. Lane Justice Center in downtown Reno.
"This is a wonderful event which will recognize the heroes in our community who work with crime victims every day, as well as honor those effected by violent crime in our community," Megan Long, Alliance for Victims' Right secretary and victim advocate with Washoe County School Police, said in a statement Tuesday.
The event coincides with National Crime Victims' Rights Week and will honor community members and organizations working to support victims and families.
"National Crime Victims' Rights Week is a time where we can help support survivors and remind our community that there are a variety of amazing people and organizations here that are ready to step up and help in recovery."
The vigil includes an award ceremony, music by the Reno High School orchestra and the 5 Feather Drumming Circle, organizers said in a release. The event will also feature a presentation from a man who lost family members to a homicide and from the Reno Color Guard.
Other speakers include Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve, Sheriff Chuck Allen and Washoe County District Attorney Chris Hicks.
"The community will have the opportunity not only to honor these heroes, but to see how survivors are moving forward in positive ways in the wake of tragedy," Long said in the statement. "This is such an important message for everyone in our community."
The Crimes Victim Fund, financed by fines and penalties paid by offenders, supports victim assistance and services, such as rape crisis and domestic violence programs. That includes compensation programs that pay out-of-pocket expenses such as counseling, funeral expenses, and lost wages, organizers said.
Outreach is focused on previously undeserved victim populations including people of color, religious and ethnic minorities and immigrants. That also includes the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities.
Information about community resources and support options will also be distributed, organizers said.
For information, contact Alliance for Victims' Right at 775-333-3799 or online at www.avrnv.org.
2015 Candlelight Vigil - Reno Gazette Journal
2015 Candlelight Vigil - News Channel 2 - Reno
View the story here.
2015 Candlelight Vigil - News Channel 4 - Reno
View the story here.
2015 Candlelight Vigil - Fox 11 - Reno
View the story here.
April 2015 - UNR Receives First Sexual Assault Victim Advocate
AVR's own, Justine Hernandez, has recently become the University of Nevada, Reno's first victim advocate. Check out the article here.
2014 One Billion Rising in Carson City, Nevada
2013 Candlelight Vigil - KTVN 2
Candlelight Vigil Remembers Victims of Violence Posted:
Apr 24, 2013 6:06 PM PDT
A candlelight vigil is being held in downtown Reno to honor and remember people affected by criminal violence.
The 'Alliance for Victims' Rights' has held the candlelight vigil and awards ceremony for 16 years now. The events are part of 'National Crime Victims' Rights Week.'
Organizers say events like these show victims that people want to help - and they aren't being forgotten. "It's helpful for victims. Maybe even those who haven't reported to see that there are people out in our community who are still caring about crime victims and who want to make a difference," says Kari Ramos.
Inside the Justice Center in downtown Reno, things got started with an awards ceremony honoring those people in our community who work with victims of violence.
The Alliance for Victims' Rights says there are more than 10,000 victim services around the country, but a lot of work still needs to be done.
Right now, more than 50% of crimes go unreported and fewer than 20% of victims get the services they need.
After the awards ceremony, more than 200 people are expected to join in for the candelight vigil.
Written by Adam Rasmussen
View the story here.
A candlelight vigil is being held in downtown Reno to honor and remember people affected by criminal violence.
The 'Alliance for Victims' Rights' has held the candlelight vigil and awards ceremony for 16 years now. The events are part of 'National Crime Victims' Rights Week.'
Organizers say events like these show victims that people want to help - and they aren't being forgotten. "It's helpful for victims. Maybe even those who haven't reported to see that there are people out in our community who are still caring about crime victims and who want to make a difference," says Kari Ramos.
Inside the Justice Center in downtown Reno, things got started with an awards ceremony honoring those people in our community who work with victims of violence.
The Alliance for Victims' Rights says there are more than 10,000 victim services around the country, but a lot of work still needs to be done.
Right now, more than 50% of crimes go unreported and fewer than 20% of victims get the services they need.
After the awards ceremony, more than 200 people are expected to join in for the candelight vigil.
Written by Adam Rasmussen
View the story here.
2013 Candlelight Vigil - KOLO 8
View the story here.
2013 Candlelight Vigil - Reno Gazette Journal
View the story here.