Prosecutors across North Texas are calling attention to the victims they work with. "National Crime Victims' Rights Week" was first established in 1981.
In Tarrant County, wreaths have been set up at each subcourthouse.
The theme of this year's events is "How would you help?" Tarrant County commissioners recognized non-profits that work with victims.
"In the words of Fred Rogers, and I think we need a little more Mr. Rogers today in this world, I remember when he used to say this. When I was a boy and would see scary things on the news, my mother would say to me, 'Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping,'" says Tarrant County Judge Tim O'Hare.
Assistant District Attorney Robb Catalano says non-profits help victims through trauma. He says the crime itself is only one part of that trauma. He says victims must then answer questions from police. Then they have to answer questions from lawyers on both sides in front of 12 strangers on a jury.
"Whether it's an eight year old girl having to testify about things she should never know about or an elderly victim who was brutally beaten in a home invasion brought in court to face the perpetrator," he says. "Just listening to their testimony in court and seeing how nervous they were when they got on the witness stand, I would be, literally, inches from them. I could hear their breath and their heart beating. I could see the weight of what was going on when they had to testify."
Even if the other person is found guilty, Catalano says the victim's trauma does not go away. He says the case could be appealed, or the offender could be granted parole.
He says non-profits can help victims and their families work through ongoing trauma.
"We all must keep up this important work to ensure victims' voices are heard, and their rights are upheld," Catalano says. "Dignity, respect and fairness throughout the legal process is what we should aspire to. This will help empower victims to navigate the complexities of the justice system and find a sense of closure and healing."
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