<Bill 155 1997

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An Act proclaiming Victims of Violent Crime Weeky Preamble

The people of Ontario desire to live, work and raise their families in communities free from violent crime. Until that vision becomes a reality, violence against any one member of society diminishes us all.

All victims of violent crime, whether surviving or deceased, deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. The people of Ontario should always remember the lives of those taken by violent crime. We should always reflect on the suffering and hardship that the survivors of violent crime and the families and friends of all victims of violent crime, whether or not the victims survived, endure with such courage.

The proclamation of an annual week to commemorate publicly the victims of violent crime would serve to encourage reflection on the treatment of victims in our judicial system. Most importantly, it would make clear to governments, elected officials and police authorities the need for constant vigilance to ensure that victims of violent crime are treated with dignity and respect.

Therefore, Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario, enacts as follows: Purposes

1. The purposes of this Act are,

(a) to foster awareness of the effect of violent crime on the people of Ontario;

(b) to commemorate the contribution and the lost potential of those whose lives were taken by violent crime; and

(c) to foster awareness of the suffering and hardship endured by the survivors of violent crime and the families and friends of all victims of violent crime, whether or not the victims survived, and awareness of the courage with which they endure their suffering and hardship. Victims of Violent Crime Week

2. The third week of April in each year is proclaimed to be a week of commemoration for victims of violent crime, to be known as the Victims of Violent Crime Week. Commencement

3. This Act comes into force on the day it receives Royal Assent. Short title

4. The short title of this Act is the Victims of Violent Crime Week Act, 1997.