New Kent Charles City Chronicle

News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | March 28, 2024

Relatively unknown, Victim Witness Advocate program assists those impacted by crimes in Charles City, New Kent

By Chronicle Intern | July 30, 2021 1:36 pm

Written by Erica Larochelle

Television shows that center on courtroom drama and situations often display a false presentation on what really takes place inside the walls. For one critical organization, their services to families in Charles City and New Kent goes beyond those walls.

In the shadows of New Kent and Charles City, victim advocates work to keep crime victims safe. The Victim Witness Advocate program isn’t well-known by the community and even the victims themselves until something happens to them. However, they play a necessary part for those who don’t understand how court proceedings work or for those who need support during their legal battle.

Victim advocates are people who work with the Commonwealth’s Attorney to help crime victims. They provide services that include meeting with the victim, providing them updates with the case, letting them if the advocate has been released, and other areas.

The grant-funded program provides a dollar amount based on the county’s population In New Kent and Charles City, only one full-time person and one part-time person handle hundreds of cases each year.

Karen Mortensen and Sarah Wilson are the two victim witness advocates that serve the localities. The two remain dedicated to their craft, working around the clock to help crime victims through their cases. This year alone, the caseload has reached 560. That number excludes cases that have taken place in prior years that are still ongoing.

As numbers continue to grow, a July 28 interview with Mortensen provided insight into the day-to-day operations that she conducts.

“We are constantly looking for more people to help,” she said. “We look through the police reports daily to see which victims might need our assistance.

“We reach out to them and contact them to ask if they do,” Mortensen continued. “Sometimes we have people refuse, sometimes they walk right into our offices.”

Mortensen said that the job encounters something new every day. But the training required for the occupation isn’t easy.

“Many victim advocates are highly trained and educated,” she said, pointing to how those who occupy the position have an extensive knowledge in areas such as criminal justice or sociology. “Sarah and I each try to go to training once a week. There’s a lot you have to know about in this field.”

Mortensen shares her knowledge with others as she instructs a class after hours. She knows her actions will lead to others improving the lives of victims.

“I do it because I’m crazy,” she said laughing. “And also, because I know how important it is.”

One of the biggest things the Victim Witness Advocate program does is reach out to the community for assistance. Mortensen and Wilson continuously search for programs, businesses, and people to help assist crime victims. They interact with government programs that include animal control, the department of social services, and the women’s shelter to provide assistance in case of displacement. Local churches and mental health offices help ease victims’ consciences to bring some sort of normalcy and happiness.

“Some people we work with are quite religious and require that support,” she said, pointing to the spiritual uplifting provided by churches and other religious organizations.

While the Victim Witness Advocate programs tend to work within their local jurisdiction, they do interact with neighboring counties depending on the situation. For Mortensen, she works to create relationships to better understand the victim’s needs and how to help them.

“I have to work with adults to children,” she said, highlighting how those people will be spending time in the courtroom and recalling the tragic events. “The children know me as Mrs. Karen with the candy.”

Even on days when the victims in the courthouse, Mortensen makes sure they are in a secluded and safe area. At times, she makes sure to keep snacks and drinks on hand as days could run long. She also coordinates with New Kent Sheriff’s Office deputies to have them escorted to the courtroom as a safety precaution.

As time passes by, Mortensen continues to keep in touch with victims. With delays in the court system due to COVID-19, cases have been pushed back.

“I try to email victims who court proceedings have been going on,” she said, pointing to a two-year case that is still pending in Charles City. “I try to do it once a week to let them know that we haven’t forgotten about them.”

With so many victims to protect, the program continues to search for financial support. Their grants are purposed to spend on specific items that include office supplies and salaries. Since the program is run by the government, they are not capable to do fundraisers to cover costs.

“We do accept donations,” she said. “It can be financial support. It can be items. Every dollar goes to an extremely important cause and helps people hurting badly.”

While the push to get the word about the program to both victims of crime in New Kent and Charles City, the biggest point Mortensen wants to get across is that they have a place to turn when things get bad and a person needs someone to talk to about it.

“I want crime victims to know that there is somebody here to help them,” Mortensen said as she concluded the interview. “They are not alone.”

Mortensen and Wilson’s offices are located at Charles City and New Kent County Courthouse. You can find out more about the program at www.co.new-kent.va.us.