Candlelight vigil part of healing process for National Crime Victims’ week
When a crime is committed and proceedings are rendered in the courtroom, it is often said that justice has been served. But the ramifications of those offenses tend to linger for long periods of time with the victims of those crimes.
Enter Karen Mortensen, the systems-based victim advocate for Charles City and New Kent. Mortensen assists with those who have been victimized by crimes.
“It’s not just a name on a police report or a newspaper,” she said in a Friday morning interview. “Those are actual people that are affected.”
As part of National Crime Victims Week Apr. 8-14, the theme “Expand the Circle; Reach all victims” is a point of emphasis Mortensen is trying to get across. She is doing her part by holding a candlelight vigil this year on Apr. 10 in front of New Kent Courthouse at 6:30 p.m.
“We’ve been honoring victims for the last three years,” Mortensen commented. “Last year, there were 300 victims in Charles City and New Kent.
“The public gets so tied up in television shows when it comes to the victim of the crime,” she continued. “A victim is a victim, regardless of the crime. Whether it’s stealing a bottle of liquor from the ABC store or somebody stealing something in the backyard, there is a victim.”
Mortensen said that domestic violence continues to be the biggest area when it comes to working as a victim advocate. She explained that the ramifications of the offense aren’t just sending a criminal to jail or having them pay a fine, but the subsequent damage left against the victims that may have a long-term effect on the way they live.
“When a person is a victim of a crime, it has a psychological, emotional, and financial impact on them,” she said. “We offer a lot of services to help these people.”
Among the things the systems-based victim advocate provides include following the Victim Rights Act, crisis responses, court accompaniment, assist with meeting with victims to help with cases, making sure restitution is paid, referrals for services, emotional support, and communication and aid to other agencies.
With the candlelight vigil upon the horizon, Mortensen said the gathering is a way to honor those who have been victims of crimes.
“This is a way to show that the criminal justice supports them,” she said. “It is a peaceful way to let them know that we are thinking about the victims.
“We are coming together and expand the circle to include all victims,” Mortensen continued. “Our goal is to make all victims whole again.”
The event is open to members of Charles City and New Kent. The victim advocate concluded by saying that assistance and support is always available.
“I want to make sure everybody knows what they have in the county and are here for them in anyway possible,” Mortensen concluded.