What is a Crime Survivors Resource Center?
It’s a place where crime victim and survivor support services could be found under one roof. I envision a place where state agencies such as the Victim Compensation Fund has a field office here; so do the major victim’s rights groups. I envision a place that has on-site counseling, therapy, support groups, interdiction programs, as well as local law enforcement support, workshops, roundtables and training. We would also welcome field offices for local government representatives.
Awareness. Prevention. Survival. Hopeful Healing.
I don’t want others to suffer what I did. And I’m not talking about the crime itself! That’s bad enough. But to be subjected to yet more abuse and a reckless indifference from the very legal system that is supposed to protect the innocent is to suffer a double indignity. For me it was the ultimate insult.
The Resource Center I envision will staff caring and compassionate individuals who are not only sympathetic towards a victim’s / survivor’s plight, but show them how to navigate the complex hospital/police station/court house system. Our main focus: to bring awareness and prevention. And to empower victims with hopeful healing to survive and thrive!
Oh how I wish I had tissues to wipe away the tears and a toothbrush & toothpaste to brush my teeth. As you shuffle through this seemingly endless bureaucratic maze, you hold on to your sanity in the hope that you see some light at the end of the tunnel.
I heard someone say behind my back “Oh, she’s such a victim.” That will never happen in the Crime Survivors Resource Center.
The Resource Center will have information, resources, support and empowerment on every floor and in every office that can hand out Resource Guides, Victims Rights, Support Tools, and many more tools that inform victims, survivors and families as to their rights, and what to do next, and direct them to helpful programs, services, training, websites and links. A copy of Marsy’s Law; the California’s Victim Bill of Rights would be posted in many visible places along with motivational posters all over the place to let victims know they can survive and thrive.
At the trial, I found a justice system more concerned with the rights and well-being of the defendant than that of the victim and survivors. I was shocked. After moving from my home to protect myself and my son from this violent man, the judge gave my new address out in open court. I couldn’t believe it. I brought the judge’s misconduct to the attention of the court system, and as a result of this complaint and others, the judge was later removed from the bench.
We will provide Court Monitors to observe, watch and report.
The Resource Center is a place that lifts the spirits of those who have had their lives disrupted. It gives them a voice and let’s them know there is at least one more thing they can do to help re-balance the scales of justice.
All of this will take money . . .
So I ask for your tax-deductible donations both small and large; from $2 to $20 and from $50 to $500. Large donations will be cheerfully accepted too; from $50,000 to $100,000 and higher. I will speak to anyone, anytime, anywhere; I will speak before any group, organization, foundation or corporation, and do whatever humanly possible to make this dream a reality. I hope to accomplish this within the next 12 months but have given myself the deadline of 2016, to be open and operational.
Please help. With Faith there is Hope,
PW (Patricia Wenskunas)
