Marsy’s Law for Georgia Commemorates National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, April 23-29, with Proclamations and Champion Awards

ATLANTA - April 20, 2023 - Every year, Marsy’s Law for Georgia commemorates National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW) with a campaign that highlights local victim-centered events, honors victim advocates, and raises awareness about victims’ rights in the state. This year’s NCVRW falls on April 23-29, with the theme, Survivor Voices: Elevate. Engage. Effect Change. 

To officially acknowledge the week, the City of Atlanta, Cobb County, and Governor Brian Kemp have all issued proclamations declaring April 23-29 as Crime Victims’ Rights Week in Georgia.

Marsy’s Law Advisory Board Members Mel Hewitt, Tamiko Lowry-Pugh, and Rita Davis-Canon received the proclamation from City Council President Doug Shipman during the April 17 legislative session.


Cobb County will issue its proclamation on April 25 in the Board of Commissioners office. Commission Chair Lisa Cupid and District Attorney Flynn Broady will receive Marsy’s Law Champion Awards for their work in opening the Family Advocacy Center. The Family Advocacy Center streamlines services for victims and survivors in the county by providing a safe space and resources to help navigate the judicial system while they recover from their trauma. 

“What Commissioner Cupid and DA Broady have done for victims and their families with the Family Advocacy Center is simply incredible,” said Brad Alexander, a Marsy’s Law for Georgia representative. “Many victims are already overwhelmed not only by the sudden trauma inflicted upon them but also having to navigate many agencies in order to receive answers, compensation, representation, or justice. The Family Advocacy Center offers some comfort and solutions for a terrible situations. We are honored to award Commissioner Cupid and DA Broady each with the Marsy’s Law Champion Award during National Crime Victims’ Rights Week,” Alexander added.

In addition to these events, many Georgia landmarks will illuminate their facades using purple LED lights to highlight NCVRW. This year, Georgia organizations and landmarks like Mercer University, the King & Spalding building, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the TK Elevator building, and Atlanta’s King and Queen buildings have committed to showing their support.

Not only does Marsy’s Law for Georgia support victims’ rights during NCVRW but also works year-round to focus on encouraging the community to educate themselves on the many resources available. While the pandemic has been difficult for everyone over the past three years, victims of violent crimes have been especially impacted by the pandemic-induced court case backlog. Victim advocates and services such as the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC), Crime Victims’ Advocacy Council(CVAC), Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council (PAC) of Georgia, the Georgia Western Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office, and more have resources and events available to help aid victims in their journeys toward finding justice.

About Marsy’s Law for Georgia 

In 2018, Marsy’s Law amended the Georgia State Constitution to include a Bill of Rights for victims of violent crimes during criminal proceedings. The constitutional amendment received broad support and assures rights for victims, including standing to petition a court if they feel that their rights have been violated. Georgia is one of the numerous states nationwide that have added Marsy’s Law to their constitutions in recent years. To learn more about Marsy’s Law Georgia, you can visit their website. Victims and supporters interested in sharing their stories can email georgia@marsyslaw.us.

About Marsy’s Law

Marsy’s Law is named after Marsalee “Marsy” Nicholas of California who was stalked and killed by her ex-boyfriend in 1983. Only one week after her death, Marsy’s mother walked into a grocery store where she was confronted by the accused murderer. The family, who had just come from a visit to Marsy’s grave, was unaware that the accused had been released on bail. In an effort to honor his sister, Dr. Nicholas has made it his life’s mission to give victims and their families constitutional protections and equal rights. Since California’s passage of the Victim’s Bill of Rights Act of 2008, Marsy’s Law legislation has been overwhelmingly approved by voters in Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Nevada, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Wisconsin, Oklahoma, and South Dakota. 

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