Demand Connecticut lawmakers consider that crimes also involve victims. Proposed criminal justice bills must include the rights and best interests of victims and survivors of violent crime. 

Victims' and survivors' rights have not been considered in the raised criminal justice bills by the CT Joint Judiciary Committee. These bills will have life-altering consequences. Many community advocacy groups participated; however, whom they represent is alarmingly one-sided. The majority of these bills are written to avert possible injustices for individuals convicted of crimes.

Survivors of violent crime experience life-long trauma. Violent crime cases are unique, and legislation must consider the individuality and heinousness of the violent crime and the victims' rights.

Criminal justice reform must include all parties, and the proposed reform must consider the RIGHTS of crime victims and survivors. Specifically:

 S.B. 1058 COMPASSIONATE PAROLE RELEASE BY THE BOARD OF PARDONS AND PAROLES AND CONCERNING STAFF OF THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION
 
S.B. No. 978 PAROLE OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDIVIDUALS SERVING LENGTHY SENTENCES FOR CRIMES COMMITTED BEFORE THE INDIVIDUAL TURNED TWENTY-FIVE
 
S.B. No. 1018 AN ACT CONCERNING PROSECUTORIAL ACCOUNTABILITY
 
S.B. No. 1019 BOARD OF PARDONS AND PAROLES, ERASURE OF CRIMINAL RECORDS 
 
H.B. No. 6594  AN ACT CONCERNING THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROCESS

When victims do not have a voice in the criminal justice system, it is injustice. When victims are treated as just a piece of evidence, it is an injustice. When the sentence is ever changeable, and their life becomes merely to ensure that justice is served, it is an injustice.

Crime victims in Connecticut are afforded few rights throughout the criminal justice process and these raised bills will impact what little rights they have.