Shane VerPlanck recently wrote an article about victim-assistance. I include an excerpt:
Do you know someone who has been a victim of crime in the recent past? Chances are you do, and that crime victim might have been you or a close family member. The results of that crime could have had tragic and lifelong consequences.
Did you receive help from your state victims’ compensation fund to help with expenses you may have had as a result of a violent crime? If there was an arrest and prosecution in your case, were you notified about dates involving the defendant’s prosecution and did you have a chance to file a victim impact statement with the court before sentencing? Did the court order that the defendant pay restitution for your losses associated with the crime?
The answer to each of these questions should be yes, especially considering the many legislative advances that crime victims have achieved and the powerful state and federal laws that have enhanced victims’ services throughout the country. But the simple fact is that we don’t serve “every victim, every time.” If we are to come closer to meeting that goal, each American must do his or her part.
In the article, Shane always offers many suggestions on ways for private citizens to help victims. Namely, we can volunteer at various organizations that provide assistance to victims or we can personally help hidden victims around us.
What do you think?
