National Crime Victims Rights Week proclaimed

We are here to help

Whereas, the term “crime victim” is more than just a label and has legal standing and protections that go along with it;

“Whereas, we acknowledge that crime victims’ rights laws passed in Wyoming and at the federal level guraranteeing victims the right to meaningfully participate in the criminal justice process;

Whereas, we acknowledge that equity and inclusion are fundamental prerequisites to survivor care and that victim services providers and allied professionals can increase access to services;

Whereas, National Crime Victims Rights Week provides an opportunity to recommit to ensuring that accessible, appropriate services are offered to victims of all crimes;

Whereas, the Carbon County Sheriff’s Office Victim/Witness Program is dedicated to “Rights, Access, Equity for all victims” and is working to help crime victims and survivors through accessible, appropriate and trauma-informed services;

And therefore, be it resolved, the Town of Hanna, Wyoming does recognize the week of April 24 through April 30, 2022 as National Crime Victims’ Rights Week;

And reaffirms our commitment to creating a victim service and criminal justice response that assists victims of all crime during National Crime Victims’ Rights Week and throughout the year;

And we express our sincere gratitude and appreciation for our community members, victim service providers and criminal justice professionals who are committed to improving our response to victims of all crime so they many find relevant assistance, support, justice and peace.”

This proclamation was read at the different town councils by mayors last week, with different towns inserting their name where Hanna is written, but the rest of the proclamation being duplicated.

Loretta Hansen and Dawnette Spaulding with the Carbon County Sherif’s Victim/Witness program, along with Carbon County Sheriff Archie Roybal have been to many of the municipalities putting forth the message Victim/Witness program helps many people and not just residents.

Hansen has made the point victims can come from out of county, if not out of State, because of I-80 and other routes that are heavily traveled.

“A victim of a crime can be a motorist that is hit by another who is under the influence,” Hansen said. “It may be property damage to a possible charge of homicide. We work with 14 organizations and they all have their different ways they can help the victim.”

Hansen admits she feels because there is so much diversity in helping victims, she gives out a lot of information.

“I am trying to pare myself down in just giving the basics,” Hansen said. “But this program helps people in different complex ways. This is not a one size fits all when identifying victims or how you treat them.”

Hansen said she has her talking points although the program is much more than what she has leaned it down to when addressing audiences.

“Crime victimization has a tremendous impact on individual citizens and the communities in our jurisdiction,” Hansen started. Many people who are victimized are unable to stand up for themselves and do not know their rights within the criminal justice system such as the Wyoming Victim and Witness Bill of Rights.”

The Victim/Witness program helps people understand what their options are. This why the program was established.

“The services provide victims with all sorts of help depending on what they need,” Hansen said. “It can be immediate emotional support, emergency financial assistance, consistent information about the status of their criminal case, notification of court dates, information about how they can participate in the criminal justice process, restitution and recovery assistance.”

Hansen said there can be different ways victims come to her attention.

“Take child abuse for example,” Hansen said. “One thing to remember, every resident in the state of Wyoming is a mandatory reporter and typically those reports go to law enforcement and/or family services. So child abuse can be investigated several ways. Coming from law enforcement it is usually through a criminal process and family services is more a civil process.”

Victim/witness program helps with both.

“The first and foremost aspect to take care of, is the safety of the victim,” Hansen said. “Family services cannot take the child out of the home, that is law enforcement because only they have the authority for this type of enforcement.”

Hansen said she estimates the program help 250 to 300 people a year.

“It is great we get this one week where we can put the spotlight on what we do,” Hansen said. “However most people don’t realize what a resource or even gift we provide until they actually need to use us. It would obviously be better if people knew how much we can help them in times of crisis or how we can help people they know.”

She said victim/witness programs in other places are out of the prosecutors office and it can take some time for a victim to get recognized. The victim/witness program comes out of the Sheriff’s department, so there is usually a much faster response.

“This is why I say our program is a gift because we don’t wait until a crime is charged,” Hansen said. “We jump on the situation almost immediately whether it goes to court or not. We can be very responsive with our options in a way many places cannot. This is why I feel our program really is a gift to the communities and that is why I am gong around to the town councils to let people know what we can offer.”

She said the program networks with many coalitions because victims come in all forms.

“We wear many hats, so we can help many people and we never turn anyone that comes through our door,” Hansen said. “We are there for our communities.

Violent sexual assault and abuse often come to mind when people think of victims but Hansen said it is the smallest percentage. Adult physical assault is a large percentage along with helping victims of property crimes.

She said property crimes can encompass many instances.

“I had a person crash into a homeowner’s yard and destroyed the installed sprinkler system,” Hansen said. “It can be as simple as that or maybe juveniles throwing rocks at an abandoned building. Maybe it is a stolen vehicle that gets crashed. There just are so many ways something can be described as property crimes and there is usually a victim.”

Hansen appreciates the spotlight during National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, but hopes people how important the program is all year long.

“We wear many hats, so we can help many people and we never turn anyone that comes through our door,” Hansen said. “We are there for our communities and we want people to know it.”

The Carbon County Sheriff’s Victim/Witness office is located at 215 W. Buffalo, Suite 381 in Rawlins and the contact number is 307-328-7713.

 

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