By Kate Miller, Record Managing Editor
On April 5, first responders, courthouse workers and others met in front of the Warren County Courthouse for a short ceremony and balloon release to recognize victims of crimes and their rights.It was part of an annual awareness program, National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, held April 2-8.This year’s theme was strength, resilience and justice. Or, all victims are strengthened by the response they receives, organizations are resilient to face challenges; and communities are able to seek collective justice and healing.The Warren County prosecutor’s office reported that in the last 13 years, 5,000 victims received services through the Warren County victims services unit in the prosecutor’s office.Toni Truetken is a victim’s advocate for Warren County. She offers support to anyone who is a victim of a crime in the county.“I reach out to crime victims and help them understand the court system,” she said.She offers assistance through the court process and directs victims to resources that benefit their circumstances.“Whatever they need, whatever it takes,” she said.Truetken said before the mid-’90s in Missouri, victims did not have courtroom rights.“Sometimes victims were not consulted. They had no voice with the prosecution. They were not allowed to speak at a sentencing or allowed in the courtroom,” she said.That changed in 1996 when Missouri added laws to protect crime victims.“Now they have a right to confer with the prosecutor, be at hearings; they have a right to be protected against harmful threats from the defendant,” she said.“They have a right to be notified when the defendant escapes and release dates.”Those are just a few rights the law gave victims that they didn’t have before.The law was important because, “(crime victims) need to know they have a voice and they are not re-victimized by the judicial process,” Truetken said.The ceremony to recognize victims’ rights also serves to raise awareness of their rights and the services they need, highlight those services and programs that local communities provide and honor survivors and those who serve them.Those crimes include crimes against children, domestic assault, DWI injuries or fatalities, burglaries and property damage. Many of those crimes were escalated by drug use.“Drugs are not a victimless crime,” said Truetken.First responders and government officials were at the ceremony to release balloons, so were representatives from local victims services. Turning Point, an emergency shelter for domestic abuse victims, hosted a luncheon after the event. Turning Point is one of the many organizations that offer assistance to crime victims.Crime survivors attended; some of them have attended the ceremony each year.“I think for people who have been victims of crime who attend this event, it’s a good opportunity to get with other people who have experienced a crime,” Truetken said.She said survivors share their stories with each other and learn they are not alone. They come to realize that things will get better.County officials, first responders, victim advocacy group members and crime victims gathered at the Warren County Courthouse for a balloon release ceremony. The occasion marked National Crime Victims' Rights Week. Record photo/ Kate Miller.
