Crime victims call for constitutional protections

ST. PETERSBURG (FOX 13) - Surrounded by victims and victim advocates, Governor Rick Scott announced his support for a law that would provide rights and protections for crime victims. 

"Florida is one of only 15 states that does not provide enforceable constitutional protection for victims of crime,” Scott stated.

Florida's Constitution Revision Commission is considering putting Marsy's Law on the ballot this November.

The law is named for Marsy Nicholas, who was killed by her ex-boyfriend in 1983. If passed, Florida would join six other states with rights that include notification of proceedings in criminal cases, the right to be heard at plea or sentencing hearings, and the right to be notified if their offender is released. 

"We will not settle to be victims anymore,” insisted Connie Rose, who was sexually abused and forced into prostitution by her father.

Rose says she didn't have these rights after he was arrested. 

"He was put on house arrest, he was put on probation, mandatory counseling, and yet he still found ways to cross the county line, and he found ways to call my home and threaten my daughter. He found ways to get a gun and threaten me. And to tell me and my daughter, ‘I am going to do the same things to do, that I did to your mother.’"

Rose says she wants the state of Florida to stand with the victims.

"You don't think it's ever going to happen to you, until it happens,” she continued.  “And when it does, you want the law to be on your side."

Twenty-two of the 37 commission members have to vote yes on it for the proposal to make it on the ballot.