California: Governor Newsom honors crime victims during National Crime Victims' Rights Week

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Apr 21, 2026

Governor Newsom honors crime victims during National Crime Victims' Rights Week

What you need to know: California is supporting crime victims, expanding access to care, and preventing crime before it happens.

SACRAMENTO – During National Crime Victims' Rights Week, Governor Gavin Newsom today honored survivors of crime, reaffirming the state's nation-leading commitment to support these Californians, while also calling out the Trump administration's dangerous actions that undermine justice and accountability for victims. In his letter of support for survivors and victims of crime, the Governor also highlighted state resources available to help impacted families.

Across this country, we're seeing a fundamental test of whose side we're on — victims or perpetrators. California is standing with victims — meeting people where they are, helping them heal, and holding offenders accountable.

Governor Gavin Newsom

Honoring victims and survivors

California has built the most comprehensive victim support systems in the nation — pairing direct services with sustained public safety investments.

This week, California joins communities across the nation in recognizing National Crime Victims' Rights Week — a time to uplift survivors, honor those lost to violence, and recommit to justice and healing. California established the nation's first victim compensation program in 1965, a program that has since provided over $2.8 billion to assist victims of violent crime.

Since 2019, California has invested in public safety efforts, including for victim services. California has dedicated programs and initiatives to support crime victims, including ensuring they have access to rape crisis centers, trauma recovery centers, domestic violence resources, trained victim advocacy professionals, safe housing, crime witness assistance, increased forensic science services, and family legal services, among other resources.

The Office of Victim and Survivor Rights and Services (OVSRS) at the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) provides  comprehensive victim services. Under Marsy's Law – the Victims' Bill of Rights Act passed by California voters in 2008 – OVSRS upholds victims' and survivors' rights, and respect. In 2025, OVSRS contacted over 40,000 victims and family members, helping them exercise their rights, including case notifications, parole hearing participation, restitution collection, and access to services. The office tracked over $17.1 million in direct restitution and supported thousands of survivors sharing their stories at parole suitability hearings. The Governor encourages witnesses, survivors, and victims to register with OVSRS, a confidential and easy process that ensures they receive timely case updates and the information and support they need to make their voices heard.

The California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) manages 70 programs that offer financial assistance and support to victim service providers across the state. These programs ensure all victims of crime receive critical services, including direct help, training for personnel, and support for specialized response units. The funding supports various providers assisting victims of human trafficking, child abuse, domestic violence, sexual assault, and underserved populations with services like housing and legal assistance.

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Victims of crime can receive up to $70,000 in compensation for crime-related expenses through the California Victim Compensation Board (VCB), including mental health counseling, medical and dental care, lost income, and relocation and housing security. Importantly, survivors of sexual assault do not need a police report to access support. Applications are available in 18 languages, and victims have up to seven years to apply.

Removing firearms from those who could harm themselves or others is a key tool to preventing violent crime. California is ranked the #1 state in the nation for gun safety laws, using a proactive approach that helps keep gun deaths down and people safe. The state utilizes nine types of Gun Violence protection orders, use of which has increased by 118% from 2020 to 2023, helping to keep Californians safe and violent crime down.

California's Trauma Recovery Centers provide no-cost, trauma-informed care — including for victims who may be ineligible for compensation or are afraid to report crimes.

Federal inaction

California's expansion of victim supports comes amidst recent federal actions such as Trump's pardons of unrepentant criminals, and denying victims and the public justice, accountability, and recovered crime proceeds.

President Trump's pardons of January 6 insurrectionists, white-collar fraudsters, and political cronies have erased nearly $2 billion in court-ordered restitution that convicted criminals owed directly to their victims, while his administration has simultaneously cut more than $820 million in federal victim services grants that fund the counseling, emergency shelter, and legal aid survivors depend on every day. California will continue fighting to ensure every victim has access to the justice, healing, and support they deserve.

The Trump administration's immediate dismantling of critical victim services upon taking office on January 20, 2025, jeopardized survivor safety and support. This consistent attack, stripping rights and defunding essential programs, has pushed marginalized communities underground, enabling trafficking and hindering escape efforts. Impacts included:

• Hundreds of victim service grants canceled, including 100+ human trafficking grants
• $88 million in congressionally appropriated funds delayed or withheld from victim service providers
• ~40% reduction in VOCA funding, cutting core victim services across the country
• Federal funding disruptions and pauses that destabilized service providers and shelters
• Delays in T-Visas, limiting protections for trafficking survivors
• Cuts to labor protections and anti-exploitation enforcement, increasing vulnerability to abuse
• Reductions in research funding on violence, trafficking, and victim health impacts

These decisions send a dangerous message — prioritizing perpetrators over the people they harmed and stripping victims of the justice they are owed.

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At a time when federal actions are stripping resources and accountability, California is doubling down — ensuring victims are supported, heard, and not left behind.

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