By Ashlee Banks
Special to the AFRO
In a significant move, U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.-07) and U.S. Sen. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) sent a poignant letter to the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Office for Victims of Crime, advocating for the urgent allocation of resources and support for individuals affected by police brutality. This appeal comes at a time when many families are struggling to access the necessary assistance available under the DOJ’s Crime Victims Fund.
(Credit: AP Photo)
Pressley and Markey addressed the letter to Acting Assistant Attorney General Brent Cohen on Dec. 18 and highlighted the pressing challenges faced by victims and their families in obtaining help after experiencing abuse from law enforcement.
“Numerous victims and families have alerted us to the challenges they face in securing assistance after enduring abuse at the hands of law enforcement,” they wrote, according to an excerpt obtained by the AFRO. “This issue impacts individuals at the local, state and federal levels and requires your immediate attention.”
The issue of police brutality remains a deeply entrenched problem across the United States. According to recent statistics, police kill more than a thousand individuals each year, with thousands more suffering injuries. Alarmingly, Black individuals are nearly three times more likely to be killed by police compared to their White counterparts. This systemic issue was thrust into the international spotlight during the 2020 racial justice movement, which ignited the largest protests in U.S. history.
Pressley said the families of victims of police brutality usually carry their grief years after “the news headlines have faded.”
“Survivors of police violence and their families deserve and require tailored support from the Office for Victims of Crime. It is incumbent upon to ensure that victims of all crimes, including those affected by excessive use of force, have the resources needed to set them on a pathway to healing,” added the Massachusetts lawmaker in a statement.
The letter outlined specific barriers that impede access to resources from the Crime Victims Fund, including problematic requirements in some jurisdictions where victims of police misconduct must cooperate with the same law enforcement agency responsible for their harm in order to seek assistance. Additionally, many victims often find themselves unaware of the processes needed to access vital services, such as counseling and support.
In response to these challenges, Pressley and Markey urged Cohen to swiftly issue public guidance to all federal, state and local administrators regarding the Crime Victims Fund. This guidance aims to clarify and enhance access to support and resources for individuals and families affected by police brutality.
The lawmakers’ advocacy stems from a long-standing commitment to addressing systemic injustices and supporting marginalized communities. Congresswoman Pressley, in particular, has emerged as a prominent advocate for community-based, trauma-informed public safety responses. Her People’s Justice Guarantee is a comprehensive, decarceration-focused resolution that outlines a framework for a fair and equitable legal system.
In her ongoing efforts, Pressley has introduced legislation aimed at recognizing survivors of homicide victims nationwide and eliminating qualified immunity. Additionally, she has been instrumental in introducing the Ending PUSHOUT Act, which seeks to end the punitive pushout of girls of color from schools and disrupt the school-to-confinement pathway.
Pressley has also championed the Counseling Not Criminalization in Schools Act, which prohibits the use of federal funds to increase police presence in educational institutions, instead directing resources toward hiring counselors, nurses and social workers.
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