Marsy’s Law for Pennsylvania is fortunate to collaborate with many groups across the state, including The Crime Victim Center of Erie County
CVC was established in 1973 and after nearly 45 years of providing direct victim services and community education and outreach, CVC knows first-hand the impact of crime, which is why they support Marsy’s Law for Pennsylvania.
Here is a Q&A with Paul Lukach, Executive Director:
As someone who works as an advocate, how do you believe Marsy’s Law will help current victims and survivors?
By giving victims equal, constitutional rights, Marsy’s Law will create a far easier system for victims to navigate while also giving them a chance to be heard at public court proceedings. That way, we relieve the added stress that comes from having to comprehend an entirely new system in the wake of an experience that has already disrupted their entire lives while giving them a chance to speak on a case that directly affects them.
In discussing the criminal justice system with victims and survivors, what have you found to be common questions/concerns for those navigating the system?
A lot of victims are not aware of what rights they do and do not have when navigating the system. Therefore, many face confusion when it seems like their perpetrators have more rights than they do because, before Marsy’s law passed, victims were not protected with the same constitutional rights that the accused have always had.
For example, even though Erie County already alerts crime victims to important court proceedings, not every county in Pennsylvania acts with the same vigilance. So, oftentimes we would hear questions like, Why was I not alerted when my son’s murderer was released from prison? Why don’t I have a say in my perpetrator’s charges?
Marsy’s Law gives victims and their families the right to reasonable and timely notice of all public proceedings, to be present at these proceedings, to be heard at any hearing where their rights are implicated, and to have their safety considered when bail and release conditions are decided. These changes will alleviate a victim’s confusion and distress within the justice system.
Which component of Marsy’s Law stands out most to you and why?
Marsy’s Law gives victims the right to physical and emotional protection from their perpetrators. This can include the right to refuse an interview requested by their perpetrator or someone representing their perpetrator. Oftentimes, we don’t consider the devastating impact a victim can experience when they are forced to recount their trauma over and over, in excruciating detail in a number of different settings.
If the accused is protected by the Constitution, it is only fair that victims are given those same opportunities in our court system. It is only right that their voices be heard.
How would Marsy’s Law impact the community and how can the community help with this initiative?
Under Marsy’s Law, crime victims in our community will be treated with the respect, dignity, and fairness that they deserve in the court system. By giving crime victims the opportunity to truly be heard, we hope to see more perpetrators brought to justice in our community, and we hope that crime victims pressing charges against their perpetrators will be provided with more hope and peace of mind than in the past.
In addition to supporting Marsy’s Law passage here in Pennsylvania, our community can help this initiative by upholding that same dignity and respect even outside of the courtroom. If we operate with the intent to believe survivors, to listen to their stories and bolster their voices, we can start making a real change in the culture that surrounds crime. We can start making our community a more open and welcoming environment for crime victims so that their healing can overall become an easier and safer process.
For more information about The Crime Victim Center of Erie County, visit their website at www.cvcerie.org or call (814) 455-9414 for FREE, confidential services.