Today at the Arkansas State Capitol, lawmakers began the process of amending the state’s constitution to add a victim’s bill of rights.

A passionate group of supporters is urging lawmakers to amend the Arkansas Constitution to include enforceable victims’ rights.

This proposed change seeks to empower victims throughout their journey in the legal system, ensuring they are informed and supported every step of the way.

The effort is driven by a coalition of victims’ rights groups, advocates, and concerned citizens, aims to provide victims with critical information about available resources, service providers, and, most importantly, their rights under the law and would ensure that victims are not only informed about their rights but also empowered to make decisions that affect their cases.

Supporters argue that this is long overdue, as many victims currently face challenges navigating the complex legal system.

“In 2012, I was run over by my husband, and I survived a violent crime. With the judicial system and part of the system, I got victim’s rights. And part of the system, I didn’t, says Laura Abbott, founder of Laura’s Card.

“I can say after I started getting my victim’s rights implemented, it helped me heal as a person, it helped me restore myself, and it helped me be able to contribute back to society again.”

Currently there are two House Joint Resolutions – 1009 and 1020 – that aim to amend the Arkansas Constitution to be known as the Victim’s Bill of Rights.

Those bills are being sponsored by State Representative Karilyn Brown of Sherwood, and State Senator Ben Gilmore of Crossett.