TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — More than 100 survivors of violent crime gathered Tuesday inside the Florida Capitol to demand an expansion of victim services in the 2023 Legislative Session. 

What You Need To Know

  • Survivors of violent crime gathered in the Florida Capitol Tuesday to demand action on victim services in the state
     
  • One proposal would require police to brief mourning families on the status of investigations

  •  It would also require employers to provide leave for family members after a homicide. 

  •  Known as Curtis' Law, the proposal is named after a homicide victim.

Alongside several lawmakers, attendees highlighted proposals to support victims of crime and address ongoing crime cycles within their communities. Curtis’ Law is among the priorities of attendees, many of whom lost a loved one to gun violence. 

The proposal (SB 490) would require police to provide basic information to direct family members about the status of a homicide investigation. It would also require employers to provide leave to mourning family members to allow them to make final arrangements. 

Patricia Ward spoke Tuesday alongside lawmakers and survivors. She lost her 16-year-old son, Curtis Williams, to violent crime in 1997. 

“For two years I had to fight for basic information about his murder investigation,” Ward said at the event. 

Those gathered at the Capitol also contend that lawmakers can make changes to address repeat offenders. Among other bills, survivors would like to see changes to arrest records.

One proposal they highlighted would conceal an arrest if if didn’t lead to a conviction. That, supporters say, would broaden employment opportunities for those vindicated after an arrest. 

Orlando Democratic lawmaker Anna Eskamani said she supports the legislation, and told Spectrum News her twin sister was recently mugged by four juveniles with criminal records in Orlando.

“It’s very concerning when we see the cost of living going up, when we see the lack of diversity of jobs, where people are struggling, and if they don’t have the ability to watch their kids, their kids in a causing harm to others, including my own family,” Eskamani said. 

State officials say violent crime is down in Florida, based on the most recent totals. The latest data presented by the state is from 2021, and reports the state murder rate as down by 14% compared to 2020. It also shows a decrease of violent crime by more than 4% over the same period.