When someone has lost a family member to violent crime or has experienced a crime, whether it be rape, identity theft, or domestic violence for instance, that person figures out a way to cope through a convoluted and painful process of the legal system, but only IF the prosecution gets that far.
A good percentage of people are left with the financial and emotional damages of the crime and try to put it behind them as they transition from victim to survivor, at least physically speaking. A small percentage light the torch of justice and faith to become the most tenacious advocates for human and victim rights with a compassion, understanding, and desire to change a system that has grown to favor the criminal.
National Organization for Victim Assistance (NOVA) is comprised primarily of survivors who
have chosen the unglamorous, unpopular, behind-the-scenes work of victim advocacy. This is not a field for the faint-hearted, but for those who's passion to help others and build legal change supersede the desire for wealth and easy living. It is a constant struggle of finding funds to continue work and balancing emotions. The rewards are not monetary, they are an inner peace knowing that a difference has been made in a person's life. (Read the Starfish Story)This last week was the 35th Anniversary of NOVA and a celebration of longevity and change as dignitaries like Former US Attorney Diane J. Humetewa, talked about her beginnings of victim advocacy in the court, which did not exist 20 years ago. Much has changed, but there is still much work to accomplish. So many survivors in Bravery Project claimed the same, explaining that there were no shelters where they lived during the 80's and domestic violence awareness was nonexistant.
The ability for people to reach out and find or make government positions on behalf of victims or to begin grassroots organizations, tailored to a specific niche in the field is one of the beautiful and amazing examples of human resilience and freedom that people possess. Although it feels like swimming against a rising tide and the undertow of bureaucracy and apathy threatens to pull us under, let us never give up on the field of victim's rights. When injustice happens, don't sit back and accept it, but expose it and create solutions to fill those gaps; this is the way of a victim advocate. As a mere artist, I know it works because I've heard it repeatedly in survivor stories from Bravery Project. Someone, somewhere gave a hand to a victim and showed them the way. To all of you who are lighting the torches of others, no amount or task is too small or insignificant and I salute you.These are just a few of the organizations at the NOVA conference that were started by concerned citizens.
Parents of Murdered Children
National Organization of Victims of "Juvenile Lifers"
International Cruise Victims
Gabriel's Angels
WBJ Press
Ministry of Justice, Republic of Korea
Voice for Victims
Citizens Against Homicide
TACT (Thorough Assault Case Tracking)
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