Across the country, organizations, elected officials, and Americans will be calling attention to the struggles that crime victims face in this country. The theme of this year’s NCVRW is “rights, access, equity, for all victims.” According to the Office for Victims of Crime, this theme “underscores the importance of helping crime survivors find their justice by enforcing rights, expanding access to services, and ensuring equity and inclusion for all.”

Unfortunately, the Iowa Legislature did not keep our constitutional amendment for victims' rights alive past the legislative funnel. Our issue is no longer eligible to be considered this year. 

Rep. Jon Jacobsen from Council Bluffs, recently penned the following opinion piece in honor of National Crime Victims' Rights Week. Rep. Jacobsen has been a longtime supporter of our efforts and we're thankful for leaders in the Iowa Legislature like him. 

Guthrie County Sheriff Marty Arganbright has been a tremendous supporter of Marsy's Law for Iowa. In honor of this National Crime Victims' Rights Week, Sheriff Arganbright wrote the following opinion piece. Thank you for all you do for the people of Iowa and Guthrie County, Sheriff. 

MOUNT PLEASANT, Iowa (April 9, 2019) —On Tuesday, the Henry County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously on a resolution supporting Marsy’s Law for Iowa, an effort to strengthen victims’ rights in Iowa’s Constitution.

GUTHRIE CENTER, Iowa (April 9, 2019) —On Tuesday, the Guthrie County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously on a resolution supporting Marsy’s Law for Iowa, an effort to strengthen victims’ rights in Iowa’s Constitution.

April 7 – 13 has been designated as National Crime Victims’ Rights Week across the country. The Marsy’s Law for Iowa team has been gearing up for a special week of highlighting the challenges crime victims face every day and honoring the victim service providers that empower Iowa victims.

Statewide polling has shown just how much Iowans support Marsy's Law for Iowa. In fact, 85 percent of Iowans support updating the state Constitution to ensure equal rights for crime victims. Even in the polarized political environment that exists today, putting victims’ rights into Iowa’s constitution enjoys huge bipartisan support. 

We have spent the past few months meeting with Iowans, hearing heart-wrenching stories from crime victims, gaining new supporters and volunteers and visiting small towns and cities across the state.