Senator Patrick M. Gallivan, (R-C, Elma) members of the Senate’s Crime Victims, Crime and Correction Committee, and others from the Senate Minority Conference held a press conference to highlight the need for New York State to prioritize victims over criminals. The event was held as part of National Crime Victims Rights Week 

Earlier this year, Senator Gallivan hosted a Crime Victims Roundtable at Hilbert College in Hamburg to bring together lawmakers, advocates, and others to gather input on how the state can better meet the needs of individuals and families impacted by crime. Similar roundtables were held across the state by Senators Rob Rolison, Dean Murray, and Steve Rhoads. 

“The message we repeatedly heard from crime victims, law enforcement representatives, service providers, and others was that those directly impacted by crime often feel forgotten and do not always receive the services they deserve. Recent changes in our criminal justice laws favor offenders over law-abiding citizens and victims. We must pass legislation to better support crime victims and their families, ensuring their rights are protected and they receive necessary counseling, legal guidance, and other services.”

As a result of these discussions, the Senators have put together a package of 5 new pieces of legislation: 

• S.8890 – (Co-sponsored by Senator Gallivan) “Sarah’s Law” which addresses the abatement ab initio doctrine.
• S.8531A – (Co-sponsored by Senator Gallivan) Addresses changes to “Raise the Age.”
• S.9970 - Requiring DCJS to create an annual report regarding Violent Crime Fatalities.
• S.7296 - Calls for the creation of a statewide Crime Victims Advocate.
• A bill to be introduced by Senator Gallivan to clarify the legal definition of strangulation.

In addition, the forums provided an important opportunity to look at some previously introduced legislation that should be adopted, examine gaps within the current system, elevate the voices of those directly impacted by crime, and advance meaningful policy reform.

Key findings from these roundtable discussions included: 

• Failure to Prioritize Victims - Victims consistently reported that current policies leave them feeling “invisible and forgotten,” with insufficient consideration given to their rights and needs.
• Breakdown in Communication - Families often lack timely and accurate information following crimes, including notification failures between hospitals, law enforcement, and next of kin.
• Inadequate Victim Support Infrastructure - There is no uniform statewide system ensuring access to counseling, legal guidance, or case navigation services.
• Courtroom and Sentencing Disparities - Victims expressed frustration with a process that limits their participation and fails to reflect the severity of harm suffered.
• Unintended Consequences of Criminal Justice Reforms - Stakeholders identified reforms such as bail changes, discovery laws, and Raise the Age as having diminished accountability and weakened protections for victims.

The senators were joined at the press conference by family members of Sarah Goode, who was raped and murdered on Long Island in 2014, and David Bliss, who was shot and killed in 2021. They are calling for passage of policies that provide justice for their loved ones. 

In the coming weeks, the Senators are expected to release the “Putting Victims First Report,” highlighting victims who have been subjected to heinous crimes and suffered through a legal system that has failed at protecting them, as well as input from various stakeholders. The report will include a series of legislative recommendations that came from the roundtable discussions.

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