Legislative Findings and Intent

I Liheslatura finds and declares that the enactment of the “Crime Victim’s Rights Act of 2004,” established by P.L. 21-096 and amended by P.L. 27-138:2, has resulted in significant advances in the recognition and protection of the rights of crime victims and survivors once they enter the criminal justice system. Nonetheless, victims of sexual assault, more than other victims, are likely to be blamed for the crime, assumed to be fabricating the crime, or taken less seriously than their injuries warrant. These victims are sometimes discouraged from proceeding with their complaints and as a result are not afforded the protections and rights that other crime victims receive in the criminal justice system. Therefore, with no diminution of the legislatively-recognized rights of crime victims, it is the intent of I Liheslatura to accord victims of sexual assault with rights which may be easily located in this Chapter.