Marsy's Law for Wisconsin Hosts Event to Educate Eau Claire, Dunn County Community on Crime Victims’ Rights and Available Services
Event focused on Hmong community includes Eau Claire and Dunn County District Attorney’s offices, Eau Claire Area Hmong Mutual Assistance Association, Bolton Refuge House and Bridge to Hope
MADISON – This week, Marsy's Law for Wisconsin hosted a community outreach event aimed at informing the Eau Claire and Dunn County Hmong Community about their rights under Wisconsin’s recently adopted crime victims’ constitutional amendment known as Marsy's Law.
“We’re so grateful to the many Eau Claire and Dunn County organizations who helped make this educational event possible,” said Marsy’s Law for Wisconsin Outreach Director Nela Kalpic. “We’ve been thrilled to see the positive impact of Marsy’s Law since it was enacted last year, and we appreciated this opportunity to help inform area residents about their rights under the new amendment and the wonderful services offered by community partners.”
The event was held in partnership with the Eau Claire and Dunn County District Attorney’s offices, the Eau Claire Area Hmong Mutual Assistance Association, The Bridge to Hope, and Bolton Refuge House.
“We were thrilled to join Marsy’s Law for Wisconsin and other local stakeholders for this opportunity to help educate the community we serve about victims’ rights in Wisconsin,” said True Vue, Executive Director of the Eau Claire Area Hmong Mutual Assistance Association. “This event was a great opportunity to come together and discuss how to build safer communities.”
Speakers from each organization presented information on the new crime victims' constitutional amendment and resources available to area residents.
“Under the new crime victims’ constitutional amendment, legal system stakeholders in Eau Claire County have increased our focus on the role of victims in the legal process,” said Peter Rindal, Eau Claire County District Attorney. “By helping to educate our residents about their rights under Marsy’s Law, we can help ensure that they can fully exercise these rights if they ever find themselves navigating the legal system as a victim.”
“Victims’ rights have always been an important part of the legal process in Dunn County, and under Marsy’s Law, the additional opportunities to be heard at each key juncture in the case have been a big improvement for victims,” added Andrea Nodolf, Dunn County District Attorney. “We hope we can help educate all of our residents about the rights afforded to them under this amendment.”
The event provided information to community residents about the rights that exist for Wisconsin crime victims under the crime victims’ constitutional amendment enacted last year with overwhelming public support.
“Working directly with victims of domestic abuse, we hear too often how difficult it is for them to navigate the legal system,” said Jenn McDermid, Director of Domestic Abuse Victim Services at The Bridge to Hope. “We hope that by educating them about the rights and protections they have under Marsy’s Law and the resources available to them, we can help them better navigate that challenging process.”
“In the last year, the new crime victims’ constitutional amendment has already brought victims to the forefront of the legal process, and we were honored to participate in this effort to educate local residents about their rights,” added Bronson Stein, Legal Advocate at Bolton Refuge House.
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 has developed 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. 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.