ASHLAND, KY (WOWK) — A crime can happen to anyone, anywhere, and at any time, and during “National Crime Victims Rights Week,” organizations are spreading the message “How would you help?”
Ramey Estep Prevention Service Director Lakeisha Dennis says this message is “just to make sure they’re aware. When I say they, I mean the community is aware of what resources are out there and also to ask ‘what else can we do?'”
Whether it’s a misdemeanor or a felony, no matter what the situation is, services are available to help the victims and survivors.
While it can get confusing trying to find the right organization, there are people ready to step in and make the process as easy as possible.
“Legal Aid of the Bluegrass, we have Ramey Estep Re-Group, which is behavioral healthcare, Linking Resources, Primary Plus, we’ve got St. Claires, we’ve got our local domestic violence shelter… There are great resources out here and if we can’t provide that service, we can link you to someone who can,” Dennis says during a resource fair Wednesday afternoon.
However, this week is more than just about the helping hands. Victims and survivors also have the right to be notified of arrests, important court dates in the case, and other information before, during, and after a criminal trial.
Commonwealth Attorney Rhonda Copley, who works alongside victim advocates, is echoing that statement saying “Some victims are cooperative and want to come in, but as you can imagine… Some people don’t want to be involved in the prosecution of the case. That happens. But we reach out to every victim.”
Law enforcement, prosecutors, and resource services are all sharing the common goal of making sure every crime victim’s needs are met.
