In this world of equal opportunity and equal rights, it seems there are those of us left on the wayside. We are a majority amongst you, and yet our needs are quietly hushed and swept under the rug. We are not a single race or religious preference, nor are we confined to the limitations of just one sex or social stature. Our stories are told openly, more today than ever before. For some the scars are deeper than others, but our pain and suffering is a part of our daily lives that we cannot escape. We are most commonly treated as a burden on the very society that has promised over and over again to protect and shelter us from harm.

We are your abused children.

We appeal to you now with this petition to bring forth the ratification of Amendment VI of The Constitution of the United States of America, which reads as follows:

In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the state and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense. *

We do not argue this amendment, although we are joining together today to express our desire to extend this amendment to include the victims of crime. This in no way is a suggestion to allow cases which stem from civil matters to be included, as crimes are defined as a serious violation of the law; while civil cases are defined as relating to or being a lawsuit. **

The victims of crime deserve the right to have adequate counsel and representation also appointed when they have reasonable documentation or other information regarding the said crime, regardless of their income or social stature. In guaranteeing the criminals rights, while not the victims, we have created a judicial system that leaves the victims behind in their defense. Equal rights should include the right to due process especially for the victims of crime.

* Data obtained from The Bill of Rights.
** Definitions obtained from Webster's Dictionary ©