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The Victim Rights Movement in the United States began in earnest in
the early 1970's, swept in by the momentum of the Civil Rights Movement, the
Women's Rights Movement, and the Law & Order Movement.
Washington State has
been at the forefront on victims' rights, and the following dates mark
significant milestones in the Victim Rights Movement in this state.
- 1973 - Est.
Crime Victim Comp. Program
- 1975 - Family
& Friends of Violent Crime Victims established
- 1979 - Victim
of Sexual Assault Act passed
- 1979 - Funding
for domestic violence shelters passed
- 1981 -
Washington State Crime Victim Bill of Rights passed
- 1981 -
Sentencing Reform Act passed
- 1983 -
Department of Corrections Victim Assistance Unit created
- 1984 - WA
Coalition of Crime Victim Advocates established
- 1985 - Special
rights for child crime victims passed
- 1989 - Voters
ratify a constitutional amendment on victim rights
- 1990 -
Community Protection Act passed
- 1990 - Office
of Crime Victim Advocacy created
- 1991 - Address
Confidentiality Program created
- 1995 -
Prosecutors must inform victims on plea agreements
- 1996 - Victim
advocate for the Sentencing Guidelines Commission
- 1999 - Offender
Accountability Act passed
Victim rights are
continually evolving in this state. As recently as 2006, the Washington Supreme
Court (Washington v. Devin) issued a near unanimous ruling affirming a victim's
right to collect restitution from a deceased criminal offender's estate. The
Washington Coalition of Crime Victim Advocates is dedicated to protecting and
improving the rights of crime victims. |
