Marsy's Law for Wisconsin, Bolton Refuge House Display Silhouettes in Eau Claire Raising Awareness of Victims’ Rights
Local event highlights various rights included under crime victims’ constitutional amendment
MADISON – This week, Marsy's Law for Wisconsin and Bolton Refuge House joined together for an event displaying silhouettes in downtown Eau Claire to help raise awareness of crime victims’ rights in Wisconsin. The silhouettes highlight various rights included under Wisconsin’s recently adopted crime victims’ rights constitutional amendment known as Marsy’s Law. Bolton Refuge House has used silhouettes in the past to memorialize victims of domestic-related homicides.
“These silhouettes can serve as a reminder of the victims who for too long were pushed into the background of the criminal justice system,” said Bronson Stein, Legal Advocate at Bolton Refuge House. “Since it went into effect last year, the new crime victims’ constitutional amendment has already brought those victims to the forefront of the legal process, and we were honored to partner with Marsy’s Law for Wisconsin in this effort to raise awareness of victims’ rights.”
Nine silhouettes were placed on display in downtown Eau Claire on Barstow Street. Each silhouette includes a short version of a constitutional right included in Marsy’s Law, which was adopted with overwhelming support during the April 2020 election.
“We hope that the powerful imagery of the silhouettes will remind Eau Claire residents of the victims and survivors who walk amongst them relatively unseen,” said Marsy’s Law for Wisconsin Outreach Director Nela Kalpic. “These silhouettes act as reflections as well as symbols—like shadows of ourselves or loved ones—and they aid in reminding us of the human element behind the policies we support as advocates, voters, and citizens.”
A full list of the rights available to Wisconsin crime victims under Marsy’s Law is available here.
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About Marsy’s Law for Wisconsin
Marsy’s Law for Wisconsin is a grassroots coalition that championed a unique proposal to give victims of crime equal rights in our state, building on Wisconsin’s laws and history of leading on this issue. The crime victims’ rights state constitutional amendment, also known as Marsy’s Law for Wisconsin, was ratified during the April 7, 2020 election with an overwhelming 75 percent of voters in support. Marsy’s Law is named after Marsalee “Marsy” Nicholas of California who was stalked and killed by her ex-boyfriend in 1983. Only one week after her death, Marsy’s mother and brother, Henry T. Nicholas, walked into a grocery store where they were confronted by the accused murderer. The family, who had just come from a visit to Marsy’s grave, was unaware that the accused had been released on bail. In an effort to honor his sister, Dr. Nicholas has made it his life’s mission to give victims and their families constitutional protections and equal rights.