Honoring Victims And Survivors: How California Is Amplifying The Voices Left Behind By Crime

Across California this week, an important light shines brighter than ever: the recognition of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, a time dedicated not only to honoring those forever impacted by crime but also to scrutinizing our collective commitment to justice and healing. As crime survivors continue to navigate the aftermath of trauma, advocates and state leaders are working to ensure their pain is neither ignored nor overshadowed by policy debates focused solely on offenders. Their message resonates loudly: victims’ voices must be heard, protected, and uplifted.

Governor Gavin Newsom led the state’s official acknowledgment by highlighting over $1 billion invested in public safety since 2019—of which more than $300 million directly funds victim services. “Too many victims walk away from the legal system feeling unheard and unsupported,” he stated, pledging to help survivors reclaim control over their recovery. California, a pioneer since 1965 with the country’s first victim compensation program, has now disbursed over $2.8 billion assisting those affected by violent crime, providing crucial aid for medical bills, counseling, relocation, and more. This year alone, $310 million in grants support over 70 specific victim-related initiatives.

Governor Newsom recently reinforced these protections by signing laws that strengthen restraining orders, prolong separation mandates for abusers, and tap into penalties from white-collar criminals to bolster victim restitution funds. These legislative moves, combined with an infusion of $103 million to fill federal funding gaps, underline the state’s enduring commitment to prioritizing victim safety and recovery.

At the community level, this commitment took on a deeply personal dimension at a gathering held by Solano County District Attorney Krishna Abrams. With court officials and local law enforcement standing in solidarity, Abrams declared, “We stand together to uplift victims’ voices, ensure their voices are heard, and focus on their rights as they navigate the unwanted journey through the criminal justice system.” She lamented reforms that, in an effort to reduce sentences, increasingly neglect the enduring plight of victims. “Where is their voice?” Abrams pressed, emphasizing how diminishing offender accountability risks further eroding victims’ rights and sense of security.

Referencing Marsy’s Law—the 2008 Victims Bill of Rights in California—Abrams called for unwavering respect, protection, and transparency toward crime survivors. Invoking tragic cases like De Anna Lynn Johnson, whose long-unsolved 1980 murder only saw conviction last month, and Christina Baxley, slain during her lunch break, Abrams illustrated that a victim’s struggle for justice often endures painfully beyond court verdicts. The shock over a convicted murderer’s recent parole exemplifies the lasting impact and ongoing fears faced by victims’ families.

Most powerful was survivor Gabriela Mireles, who bravely recounted escaping 18 years of domestic abuse. “My story begins in a space where love was confused with control,” she revealed. After finding strength through Solano’s Victims Empowerment Support Team (VEST), Mireles echoed the week’s 2025 theme, ‘Connecting, Healing and Kinship’: “It reminded me I wasn’t alone, that there was no shame in survival.” Her words epitomized the resilience fostered by community outreach and trauma-informed advocacy—core pillars in California’s evolving support network.

This week’s observances not only salute survivors’ courage but also challenge society and policymakers: Will victim voices continue to shape reforms? Can compassion and justice coexist amid efforts to remedy systemic inequities? Californians are urged to reflect, share their perspectives, and join efforts toward a justice system that genuinely honors healing—for every voice touched by crime.

• Gavin Newsom
• Krishna Abrams
• Solano County