TAKE ACTION in support of homicide survivors
ACT NOW: Call or email Senate President Codey and Speaker Roberts.
“I support A-2887 (S-2692), which would provide for important victims' services, including grants to non-profits that provide counseling services for the families of homicide victims. Please take the lead in ensuring these families have the support they need.”
-- Senate President Richard Codey: (973) 731-6770
-- Speaker Joseph Roberts: (856) 742-7600
To email:
-- Sen. Codey: SenCodey@njleg.org
-- Speaker Roberts: AsmRoberts@njleg.org
Background info A-2887/S-2692, the Victims' Services Bill
A-2887/S-2692 will restore funding for Victim and Witness Advocacy Coordinators in the offices. In 2008, federal funding for the Victim Witness Coordinators was cut by 70%.
This legislation is expected to be amended to also provide grants to non-profits that provide counseling services for the families of homicide victims. Research shows that one in every five family members impacted by criminal homicide, including deaths caused by an intoxicated driver, develop Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Family members of homicide victims require on-going support, including during the criminal justice process, and access to affordable specialized counseling services by well-trained mental health professionals with expertise in traumatic grief. Those services are sorely lacking because there is currently no dedicated federal or state funding for counseling