(WFRV) – A statewide effort to strengthen crime victims’ rights is coming to northern Wisconsin.
According to a release, Marsy’s Law for Wisconsin is teaming up with the Wisconsin Department of Justice and Bayfield County District Attorney Kimberly Lawton for a special discussion. The event will “map” out the journey a victim takes through the criminal justice system, from the first call to police to post-conviction proceedings.
The goal is to make sure survivors of crime easily access their rights and services under Wisconsin’s victims’ rights amendment, known as Marsy’s Law, which voters approved in 2020. The session will also identify where the system can improve, especially for victims of sexual assault and domestic violence.
Organizers say the exercise helps local officials see the process through the eyes of the victim. “Since its ratification five years ago, Marsy’s Law has served as a source of strength for crime victims during difficult times,” said Nela Kalpic, Marsy’s Law for Wisconsin State Director.
Similar “mapping” events have already taken place in several counties, including Brown and Winnebago, with the Wisconsin DOJ using the findings to evaluate Marsy’s Law statewide.
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Green Bay Democrat State Senator Dave Hansen has been a vocal supporter of Marsy’s Law, calling the constitutional amendment a necessary step to give crime victims in Wisconsin a stronger, more secure voice in the justice system.
Hansen said the measure helps ensure that “brave survivors affected by crime deserve to be treated with respect and have a stronger voice in the process,” emphasizing the importance of treating victims with dignity and making their rights enforceable under the constitution.
Wisconsin Republicans have also voiced support. Lawmakers like Sen. Van Wanggaard and Rep. Todd Novak argue the amendment puts victims’ rights on the same constitutional footing as defendants’ rights, while noting the need to balance those protections with due-process concerns.
While this session is happening in Bayfield County, the outcomes are expected to shape best practices across the state, including here in northeast Wisconsin.
For more information on Marsy’s Law for Wisconsin, visit equalrightsforwi.com.
