Do you remember hearing about David Dao about a year ago who was victimized by United Airline Security Agents for refusing to give up his seat on a over booked and over crowed flight. It was amazing to me that while watching the news piece, that the victim, Mr. Dao, was being beat, pulled and kicked and escorted off the flight that he had paid for. He did everything correct. United Airline Security did everything wrong. My first question, why was Dr. Dao targeted to leave the crowded flight. He stated he had patients to see the next day and needed to remain on the flight. That information did not matter to the United Airline Security, he did not want to exit the flight, but he was forced off the flight. He was the victim of physical and emotional abuse.
As you and I know Dr. Dao, received a large financial settlement for this crime. United Airlines did apologize for their mistake and I believe due to the financial lost and media coverage of this case the organization decided to address their policies on how to treat paying customers on a flight and when to use force to assist an customer off the flight. This is just one case where the victim was treated like a criminal for NO obvious reason.
It was amazing when I heard after the death of George Floyd, many began to disclose the fact that George Floyd was accused of petty crimes in his past. He was not innocent of breaking the law. Many looked at George Floyd as another black male who is a born thug and criminal. Those same accusers forgot to look at the fact that a "white" law enforcement officer murdered him in front of a camera for all the world to see in cold blood with NO empathy or concern for his human life. George Floyd had a past that was not squeaky clean, however the former police officer that killed him had no squeaky clean past either. Stop making the victim the criminal.
For far to long America has ignored the cry of the victims. Victims of domestic violence, victims of sex trafficking, victims of murdered children, victims of child abuse that may include sodomy, rape,
physical and emotional abuse. Our criminal justice systems have created barriers and protocols that may create band -aide fixes for these disturbing situations but never offered enough (free) solution base services that causes victims to become whole and resilient.
Please notice below legislation that has been put in place for victims of crimes.
Crime Victims’ Rights in America:
A Historical Overview National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW) creates an opportunity for communities to come together and reflect on the history of crime victims’ rights. The landmarks in victims’ rights and services outline this progress from 1965 to the present by highlighting—
• the creation and growth of local, state, and national victim services organizations;
• the passage of key federal and state legislation;
• notable court decisions; • groundbreaking reports and studies; and
• advances in victim assistance approaches.
This section of the NCVRW Resource Guide tells the story of our Nation’s capacity to help crime victims rebuild their lives. Use these milestones to inform your speeches, op-ed columns, media interviews, and other education efforts. Craft “This Day in History” posts that are relevant to your social media networks. However you share this information, let it remind your community of how far we’ve come. Let it provide inspiration and hope for the work ahead, both during NCVRW and throughout the year.
1974: Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act
1980: Parental Kidnapping Prevention Act
1982: Victim and Witness Protection Act
1982: Missing Children’s Act
1984: Victims of Crime Act
1984: Justice Assistance Act
1984: Missing Children’s Assistance Act
1984: Family Violence Prevention and Services Act
1985: Children’s Justice Act
1988: Drunk Driving Prevention Act
1990: Hate Crime Statistics Act
1990: Victims of Child Abuse Act
1990: Victims’ Rights and Restitution Act
1990: National Child Search Assistance Act
1992: Battered Women’s Testimony Act
1993: Child Sexual Abuse Registry Act
1994: Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act
1994: Violence Against Women Act
1996: Community Notification Act (Megan’s Law)
1996: Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act
1996: Mandatory Victims’ Restitution Act
1997: Victims’ Rights Clarification Act
1998: Identity Theft and Deterrence Act
2000: Trafficking Victims Protection Act
2001: Air Transportation Safety and System Stabilization Act (established the September 11 Victim Compensation Fund)
2003: PROTECT Act (Amber Alert Law)
2003: Prison Rape Elimination Act 2003:
Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act 2004:
Justice For All Act (including Title I: The Scott Campbell, Stephanie Roper, Wendy Preston, Louarna Gillis, and Nila Lynn Crime Victims’ Rights Act)
2006: Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act
2010: Tribal Law and Order Act 2015: Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act
2016: Native American Children’s Safety Act
Victims of Crimes can receive finances from the State of Kansas. Please notice information below.
News Releases
« Back AG Derek Schmidt: 232 crime victims to receive support Release Date: Dec 11, 2020 TOPEKA – (December 11, 2020) – The Kansas Crime Victims Compensation Board yesterday awarded financial assistance to 232 victims of violent crime at its December meeting, Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt said. Awards were made in 142 new cases. Additional expenses were paid in 90 previously submitted cases. The awards totaled $131,861.36. The Division of Crime Victims Compensation in Schmidt’s office administers the Crime Victims Compensation program, which was established in 1978 to help victims of violent crime pay for their unexpected expenses such as medical treatment, mental health counseling, lost wages, dependent support and funeral expenses. The state’s Crime Victims Compensation Board determines claims that are eligible for payment and how much money will be awarded to each claimant. Awards are limited to a maximum total amount of $25,000 with limitations of $5,000 for funeral expense, $5,000 for outpatient mental health counseling, $10,000 for inpatient mental health treatment and $1,500 for grief counseling for family survivors of homicide victims. A portion of assessed court costs and fines, inmate wages, parole fees and restitution paid by convicted offenders provides funding to the program. Yesterday’s meeting was conducted by video conference in accordance with open meeting requirements. For more information about the Crime Victims Compensation program call (785) 296-2359 or visit the attorney general’s website at www.ag.ks.gov.
Please note when you divide $131,861.36 by 142, that is less than $1000.00 per victim. However, I do not have the details about the distribution of the funds. It just seems that the amount funds distributed to victims is minimal. We need to do a better job of providing quality services and care for victims of crime.
Comments