An
accomplished
former
prosecutor
and Deputy
District
Attorney,
Nina Salarno
is the owner
of The Law
Office of
Nina Salarno,
A
Professional
Corporation,
as well as
Executive
Board Member
for
America’s
leading
crime
victims
advocacy
organization,
Crime
Victims
United (CVU).
One of three
daughters to
CVU founders
Michael and
Harriet
Salarno,
Nina was
just eleven
years old
when her
older
sister,
Catina Rose
Salarno was
senselessly
murdered
execution-style
on the
University
of the
Pacific
Campus. Nina
and her
family
quickly
learned that
victims had
limited
rights, and
through
determination
to change
the law and
protect
victims,
Crime
Victims
United was
launched. In
fact, Nina
became one
of the
Nation’s
youngest
victims’
advocates
when, at the
age of 12,
she
testified
before
President
Reagan’s
Task Force
on Crime
Victims and
participated
in various
crime victim
programs.
Crime Victims
United of California
is the only organization
of its kind — using
education, legislative
advocacy and political
action to enhance public
safety, promote
effective
crime-reduction measures
and strengthen the
rights of crime victims.
CVU is comprised of two distinct, yet complementary groups — a legislative advocacy arm that works to strengthen victims’ rights laws and a political action committee that lends its endorsement and financial backing to pro-victim candidates.
Our supporters include crime victims groups, law enforcement organizations and individuals determined to make a positive difference in California’s criminal justice system.
Our Mission
Since its founding in 1990, Crime Victims United’s mission has been to support and strengthen public safety, promote balance in the criminal justice system, and protect the rights of victims.
CVU’s goals include:
Strengthen sentencing laws for violent criminals
Create a safer, more effective criminal rehabilitation and re-entry system
Establish and protect fundamental rights for crime victims and their families
Assist victims and their families in restoring their lives
Crime Victims United is working to ensure balance in our criminal justice system so that those needing counseling and a helping hand receive it, and those seeking only violence and harm remain off our streets.
It’s Crime Victims United’s passion that all families, regardless of ethnicity, income level, age, or any other factor, are able to enjoy drug-free, crime-free, and worry-free neighborhoods.
OUR ACTIVITIES
Influencing Public Policy
Crime Victims United Issue/Advocacy staff works daily to shape policy decisions that affect public safety budgets, sentencing and parole laws, or victims and their families. With strong relationships among policymakers, Crime Victims United evaluates, monitors, and influences hundreds of legislative measures every year.
Advising elected officials on public safety legislation;
Rallying victims and their families to let their voices be heard on public policy;
Working for stronger parole oversight/monitored re-entry by parolees into society;
Educating judges, district attorneys and others on changes to victims’ rights laws;
Passing or defeating various ballot measures; and,
Conducting seminars, special events, and a yearly “Victims’ March on the Capitol.”
Restoring Shattered Lives
Crime Victims United’s non-profit foundation helps victims and their families cope with their loss and move their lives forward. The Foundation has given away hundreds of thousands of dollars to crime victims, including college scholarships to children who have lost parents or other loved ones due to violent crime.
providing college scholarships for victims and their children;
giving legal assistance to battered and abused women;
piloting a nationally renowned program “Victim to Victory,” helping victims restore their lives to a meaningful path;
guiding victims’ families through the complex criminal justice system, often providing pro-bono representation in the parole hearing process; and,
representing crime victims in the national and state press.