New Mexico advocacy groups honor Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard and Sen. Bill O’Neill for their work on Senate Bill 510 in the 2015 legislative session. Courtesy photo

Staff Report

In their annual Advocacy in Action meeting at the Tamaya Resort in Bernalillo, advocacy groups including the New Mexico Coalition Against Domestic Violence, the New Mexico Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs, the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women and the New Mexico Crime Victims Reparations Commission honored Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard and Senator Bill O’Neill for their work on Senate Bill 510 in the 2015 legislative session.

Speaking at the awards ceremony, NMCVRC Director Frank Zubia said that the AIA Service Award recognizes “individuals whose work has been particularly noteworthy, and that exemplify commitment that characterizes many of our State’s victim service providers.” He went on to add that “it also identifies individuals who champion the efforts to advance or enforce crime victim’s rights throughout our State.”

It is for this latter achievement that the work of the two legislators was primarily recognized. With the successful passage and signing of SB 510, the length of time for child victims of crime to seek reparation was increased, leading to a 25 percent increase in those seeking reparation for crimes they had experienced as children this year alone.

Additionally, SB 510 added new crimes against household members to the list covered by reparations from the commission. And this year, a total of almost 2,000 crime victims were granted reparation by the NMCVRC.

“I am humbled and grateful to be in this room where such tremendous advocacy for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking is represented,” Garcia Richard said. “I feel that the role I play is very minor compared to the work that you do. And today I commit to you that I will continue to support you in the very difficult and crucial work that you do for crime victims of New Mexico.”