Crime Victims United

09/04/2026

47 years ago yesterday, one selfish act of violence forever changed the lives of the Salarno family — and ultimately sparked a victims’ rights movement that would change California.

Catina Rose Salarno was just 18 years old, beginning her first days of college and dreaming of becoming a dentist, when her life was taken in an act of domestic violence by someone she once trusted.

Her murder shattered the lives of her parents, Harriet and Mike, and her sisters, Regina and Nina. But in the years that followed, their grief became action.

They showed up. They spoke up. They fought through parole hearings, courtrooms and legislative battles. And Harriet Salarno went on to found Crime Victims United, helping give victims and their families a stronger voice in a system where, for far too long, they often felt forgotten.

This week, 47 years later, we remember Catina.

We honor Harriet, Mike, Regina, Nina and the entire Salarno family by continuing the work their loss inspired: educating communities, empowering survivors, fighting for meaningful victims’ rights, creating networks of support and making sure no victim or family ever feels like they have to walk this road alone.

While we can never change what happened, we can make sure her name, her life and the movement created in her honor continue to make a difference for generations of victims and survivors to come.

That is the legacy of Crime Victims United.

We remember Catina. We honor her family. And we keep fighting.

Learn more about Catina’s story and the Salarno family’s decades-long fight for victims’ rights through CBS News / 48 Hours: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/catina-salarno-steven-burns-california-murder-parole-hearings-victims-rights-48-hours/

09/01/2026

𝘾𝙧𝙞𝙢𝙚 𝙑𝙞𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙨 𝙐𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙚𝙙, 𝙋𝙡𝙖𝙘𝙚𝙧 𝘿𝘼’𝙨 (𝙀𝙢)𝙥𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙧 + 𝙍𝙚𝙨𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙟𝙚𝙘𝙩 𝙡𝙖𝙪𝙣𝙘𝙝 𝙎𝙪𝙧𝙫𝙞𝙫𝙤𝙧 𝘼𝙙𝙫𝙤𝙘𝙖𝙘𝙮 𝙈𝙖𝙣𝙪𝙖𝙡 𝙩𝙤 𝙚𝙢𝙥𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙧 𝙨𝙪𝙧𝙫𝙞𝙫𝙤𝙧𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝘾𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙣𝙞𝙖 𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙢𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚 𝙡𝙤𝙘𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙮, 𝙧𝙚𝙜𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙬𝙞𝙙𝙚
𝘕𝘦𝘸 𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘱-𝘣𝘺-𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘱 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘢𝘪𝘮𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘯 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘳𝘰𝘰𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘦 𝘣𝘶𝘪𝘭𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘸𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘯𝘦𝘵𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬 𝘰𝘧 𝘪𝘯𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘦𝘥, 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘊𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘢𝘯𝘴

PLACER COUNTY, Calif. — Crime Victims United and the Placer County District Attorney's Office
announced their new Survivor Advocacy Manual, a practical, step-by-step workbook designed to
give victims, survivors, family members and everyday California residents the tools to become
informed, engaged and effective advocates in their communities, regionally and statewide.

Compiled through the past decades of advocacy knowledge from CVU, paired with the past years
of trainings from the Placer County District Attorney's Office's (Em)Power + Resilience Project for the new era of activism, the manual brings together firsthand experience, lessons learned and practical advocacy strategies into one accessible resource. The workbook helps participants move from identifying the issue they care about to building a personalized advocacy action plan.

“Every year, millions of dollars flow through organizations seeking to influence public policy
throughout California,” said Crime Victims United President Topo Padilla. “Special interests can
employ full-time lobbyists, communications professionals, policy experts and statewide advocacy
operations dedicated to advancing their priorities locally, regionally and statewide. Survivors and
most Californians cannot compete with that infrastructure, and they shouldn't have to. We believe
nothing can replace the power of informed residents talking to their neighbors, organizing their
communities, building relationships and collectively making their voices heard.”

“The power to change a system does not rest solely with those who hold office or occupy
positions of influence. It also belongs to the people whose lives are directly affected by the
decisions being made,” said Placer County District Attorney Morgan Gire. “A survivor sharing
their story, a parent educating their community, a resident speaking during public comment, or a
coalition standing together at the State Capitol can bring a perspective and sense of urgency that
no amount of money or political influence can replicate. Time and again, we have seen a single
voice change the conversation—and people coming together change the outcome. This manual is
designed to help survivors and residents turn their experiences, concerns, and convictions into
collective action that can shape policy and strengthen their communities.”

Designed as both a training tool and an interactive workbook, the manual walks participants through
the advocacy process from the ground up, while also encouraging users to create their own
advocacy action plan. The goal is to help Californians define their story, build relationships and
advocacy infrastructure before the next issue arises, connecting survivors, residents, organizations
and community leaders so they can share information, support one another and activate when their voices are needed.

The workbook reminds residents that grassroots advocacy does not require a professional lobbyist, a
political science degree or special interests funding. It can begin with something as simple as
learning about an issue, talking to five neighbors, attending a local meeting, writing a letter, sharing
factual information with an existing social network or showing up at a policy hearing.

The Survivor Advocacy Manual is ultimately designed to complement the launch and continued
growth of the California Survivor Action Network (CSAN), a statewide database and network of
individuals and organizations working to create a safer, stronger and sounder California. www.crimevictimsunited.com/CSAN

Residents can download the workbook here: https://www.crimevictimsunited.com/ca-survivor-advocacy-workbook

08/28/2026

**𝙅𝙐𝙎𝙏𝙄𝘾𝙀 𝙁𝙊𝙍 𝙈𝘼𝘿𝙔𝙎𝙊𝙉 𝙈𝙄𝘿𝘿𝙇𝙀𝙏𝙊𝙉 — 𝙏𝙀𝙇𝙇 𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝙂𝙊𝙑𝙀𝙍𝙉𝙊𝙍 𝙏𝙊 𝙎𝙄𝙂𝙉 𝘼𝘽 1902!**

Madyson “Maddy” Middleton was just 8 years old when she was kidnapped, sexually assaulted, and murdered by her 15-year-old neighbor in Santa Cruz in 2015.

Her family has spent more than a decade navigating a justice system that changed around them.

After changes in California law moved her killer’s case into the juvenile system, he ultimately faced release at age 25. In 2025, following an extraordinary nearly three-month detention extension trial, 12 jurors unanimously found beyond a reasonable doubt that he continued to pose a serious danger to the public.

But under current law, Madyson’s family can be forced back through this process again and again. AB 1902 was introduced to change that.

The bill addresses gaps exposed by Madyson’s case, including allowing courts to order longer periods between detention extension hearings when someone continues to present a serious danger to public safety.

Now Californians need to make their voices heard. Take a few minutes today:

• Send a letter to Governor Gavin Newsom urging him to SIGN AB 1902.
• Share the letter campaign with your friends, family and community groups.
• Post about Madyson’s story on Facebook, Instagram, X and TikTok.
• Ask others to send a letter too.

It takes only a few minutes to speak up — but hundreds and thousands of Californians speaking together can make a difference.

SEND YOUR LETTER HERE: https://actionnetwork.org/letters/supportab1902?

Madyson mattered. Her family matters. Victims and survivors matter. Let’s finish what Madyson’s family has fought more than a decade to accomplish. Tell Governor Newsom: SIGN AB 1902.

08/28/2026

LWOP means LWOP!!

The Governor's office says our lawsuit is about "political rhetoric," not public safety.

𝐌𝐄𝐄𝐓 𝐁𝐑𝐀𝐃 & 𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐑𝐀 𝐒𝐀𝐂𝐇𝐒

Bradford “Brad” Sachs, 57, and his wife, Andra Sachs, 54, were murdered in their San Juan Capistrano home on February 9, 2014.

Their 19-year-old son, Ashton Sachs, returned to the family home while they slept and shot and killed both of his parents. He also shot their 8-year-old son, Landon, leaving him paralyzed, and fired at his teenage sister, who survived.

Ashton Sachs later pleaded guilty to two counts of murder and two counts of attempted murder. He was sentenced to four consecutive life terms, including two terms of life without the possibility of parole.

Today, that sentence matters.

Brad and Andra were more than the circumstances of their deaths. They were parents, a husband and wife, and two lives that mattered to the people who loved them.

Brad and Andra Sachs are not political rhetoric. They were victims. Their lives mattered.

Faces of Victims | Criminal Justice Legal Foundation

08/26/2026

Great explanation about filing charges from the San Francisco District Attorney's Office!

08/25/2026

Placer County District Attorney's Office explains what to look for in this week's end of session! It has never been more important to pay attention!

08/24/2026

This issue is deeply unsettling, and Californians need to keep paying attention.

We are watching good, common-sense policies successfully make their way through policy committees, sometimes with broad or even unanimous support, and even pass legislative floors, only to be quietly held, significantly amended, or effectively gutted later in the process.

This latest reporting from CalMatters on major DUI reform is another troubling example. The bill had widespread support and had advanced through the process, yet a key provision was stripped through late amendments. Even the bill's author described parts of the amendment process as a "black box."

California must do better.

Survivors and everyday Californians should be able to trust that when they show up, testify, advocate, and participate in the legislative process, the process remains transparent from beginning to end. Unlike special interests, they do not have the luxury of being able to take time off work or be paid to spend every day making sure that our leaders do the right thing.

It has never been more critical to keep paying attention.

Read the CalMatters investigation:

Sabrina Cervantes' committee's "hostile amendment" gutted a major DUI reform bill with widespread support in Sacramento.

08/21/2026

We stand with the Fresno County District Attorney's Office against this act of targeted violence. There is no place in our society for these types of attacks against public servants. Our hearts are with the victims family, colleagues and loved ones.

A Fresno County Senior Deputy District Attorney was stabbed in Courthouse Park outside of the Fresno County Courthouse in downtown Fresno on Thursday.It happen

08/20/2026

𝘾𝙧𝙞𝙢𝙚 𝙑𝙞𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙨 𝙐𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙀𝙣𝙙𝙤𝙧𝙨𝙚𝙨 𝙁𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖 𝙈𝙖 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙇𝙞𝙚𝙪𝙩𝙚𝙣𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙂𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙣𝙤𝙧
Crime Victims United announced their endorsement of California State Treasurer Fiona Ma for Lieutenant Governor.

CVU President Topo Padilla explains:

“For Crime Victims United, this endorsement is personal. Fiona Ma has been an ally of Crime Victims United from the beginning. Long before she held statewide office, Fiona stood alongside victims, survivors, and advocates in the Legislature -- listening to their concerns, helping identify solutions, and understanding that good public policy begins with the people most directly affected by it.

Through the years, we have watched her leadership grow from the Legislature to statewide office, but one thing has remained consistent: Fiona Ma is a problem solver. She is willing to sit down with people from different backgrounds, different regions, and different perspectives if they share one goal: making life better for Californians.

That matters to us.

Crime victims' issues do not belong to one political party, ideology, or walk of life. They require leaders willing to listen, work across divides, tackle difficult problems, and stay focused on solutions. Fiona has demonstrated that ability throughout her career.

Today, she serves as California's 34th State Treasurer, overseeing one of the largest public finance operations in the nation after previously serving in the State Assembly and on the State Board of Equalization. Yet despite the titles and accomplishments, the Fiona Ma we have known throughout the years remains accessible, engaged, and willing to roll up her sleeves when Californians need help.

She doesn't simply identify problems. She works to solve them. At a time when California faces significant challenges, we need leaders who understand that progress requires bringing people together rather than pushing them further apart. We need leaders who are willing to listen to victims, families, businesses, public servants, and communities throughout this incredibly diverse state.

We believe Fiona Ma is that kind of leader. She understands California's challenges; she understands how state government works; and, most importantly, she has demonstrated throughout her career that she will work with anyone who genuinely wants to make the lives of California residents better.

Crime Victims United has spent decades advocating for victims and survivors and working with elected officials throughout California. We know the difference between someone who simply says the right things and someone who has consistently shown up.

Fiona Ma has shown up. She has been there for our organization, for victims and survivors, and for Californians throughout her years of public service. We know she will continue bringing that same determination, accessibility, and solution-oriented leadership to the office of Lieutenant Governor.

For her longstanding friendship with the crime victim community, her record of public service, and her unwavering commitment to making California a better place to live, work, and raise a family, Crime Victims United proudly and wholeheartedly endorses Fiona Ma for Lieutenant Governor of California.

We thank Fiona for standing with victims throughout the years, and we look forward to continuing that work together as she fights for all Californians. Learn more about Fiona Ma and her campaign for Lieutenant Governor at FionaMa.com.

08/18/2026

**HARRIET’S BILL ALERT: YOUR VOICE IS POWER.**

We are entering the final weeks of California’s legislative session — and some of the most consequential decisions of the year are happening right now.

Our challenge to Californians: Watch. Learn. Share.

Tune into committee hearings and floor sessions. Follow the bills that matter to you. Take screen grabs. Look at who voted — and who didn’t. Share what you are learning on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, X or wherever your community gets its information.

The more people tracking and talking about these decisions, the better.

You don’t have to be a lobbyist or policy expert to participate in the legislative process. You just have to be willing to pay attention.

Another incredible resource is CalMatters’ Digital Democracy, where you can search legislation, issues, lawmakers, votes, hearings and more. It makes following what is happening inside the Capitol much easier.

Then take what you learn and empower someone else.

Because these aren't just bill numbers. These decisions can ultimately affect victims, families and communities throughout California.

Harriet has spent decades showing us what can happen when one person refuses to stop paying attention. Imagine what happens when thousands of us do the same.

Observe the bills. See the status. Share what you see. Empower others. That is our challenge.

The best policies are made when the people they affect are paying attention. View the bill list here: https://www.placer.ca.gov/10862/2026-Bill-Status

View the floor sessions here: www.placer.ca.gov/DALeg

View Cal Matters Digital Democracy here: https://calmatters.digitaldemocracy.org/