Phoenix

Carol Gaxiola accepts the award on behalf of Homicide Survivors, Inc.

The Phoenix Division is pleased to honor Homicide Survivors, Inc., a non-profit victim assistance organization. The group is dedicated to meeting the immediate and long-term needs of the families of murder victims in Tucson and southern Arizona. Through support, advocacy, and assistance, it helps survivors cope with the emotional, economic, and legal effects of homicide.

Since 1982, the organization has promoted crisis counseling, individual peer counseling, victim rights, literature, and court packets on victims’ rights. In addition, the organization has helped to pay for funeral expenses, crime scene cleaning, repairs of damage to property as a result of crime, emergency financial assistance, food, clothing, shelter, and financial assistance to help victims outside of the United States. Homicide Survivors, Inc., also educates and supports community members in an effort to increase awareness of victims’ rights.

Homicide Survivors, Inc., has been instrumental in helping lead legislative change in Arizona. As a result of its work, laws such as the Arizona Constitutional Amendment Victims’ Bill of Rights, State of Arizona Crime Victim Compensation and Assistance, Dangerous Crimes Against Children, Guilty Except Insane (Laura’s Law), and Victims’ Right Not to Receive Inmate Mail (Judy’s Law) have been passed. More recently, the group was active in supporting passage of the federal Crime Victims’ Rights Act, which advanced victims’ rights and services nationwide.

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