Albany, NY – The New York Senate recently passed three of Senator Salazar’s bills that would support survivors of crime: 

• Survivors First Act (S4584A) eliminates barriers to compensation for survivors of crime. Currently, if victims use crowdfunding sources like GoFundMe, or supposedly “contribute” to their own victimization, they often do not receive the full compensation they are owed. 

• Notice of Address Confidentiality (S8628) requires the Office of Victim Services to notify sexual assault survivors about how to make their address confidential, empowering them to rebuild their lives without fear of being located by their abusers. 

• Necessary Compensation for Crime Survivors (S156A) increases the financial compensation made to victims of crime so they can better restore stability in their lives.  

Senator Julia Salazar, Chair of the Committee on Crime Victims, Crime and Correction, released the following: “Too often, the processes put in place to help survivors of crime are ridden with red tape and arbitrary obstacles. I'm grateful to the Majority Leader and my Senate colleagues for passing three bills of mine that will make it easier, not harder, for survivors to transition back into normalcy. Currently, if victims use crowdfunding sources like GoFundMe, they often do not receive the full compensation they are owed from New York. The Survivors First Act (S.458A) eliminates this barrier. In addition, S.156A will rightfully increase the amount of compensation owed to victims so that they can better restore stability in their lives. Lastly, Notice of Address Confidentiality (S.8628), will ensure sexual assault survivors know how to make their addresses confidential, enabling them to rebuild their lives without fear of being located by their abusers.”