Queens, NY – New York State Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato voted yes and passed a State-wide resolution to declare the Week of April 21st through April 27th as “Crime Victim Rights’ Week.” State resolutions are an extremely coveted and honored legislative declaration that preserve specific day(s) in State history. In this case, the resolution officially solidifies New York’s recognition of crime victims and its firm commitment to helping them.

The Assemblywoman has been an outspoken legislator towards helping victims of crimes. In addition to the resolution, Pheffer Amato’s bill, A.2724, would dramatically change the notification process for crime victims. If passed, the bill would ensure that all victims are automatically notified of the result of a criminal trial, informed of any upcoming parole hearings of their assailants, would obligate district attorneys to inform crime victims of their right to file a victim impact statement and guarantee them the ability to testify at those hearings. Currently, most crime victims are unaware of decisions, pending parole hearings, or any right they have related to testifying.

“While we have programs in New York that assist victims, I believe we need to do more. We can never forget the victims,” said Pheffer Amato. The Assemblywoman continued, “I believe they have a voice, and their experience needs to be amplified in all aspects of our criminal justice system. Every victim deserves the opportunity to express how a crime has impacted their life - and I’m working to make that change in our State,” said Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato.