Event held at Waukesha County Courthouse spotlighted Dunn’s work with amplifying Waukesha area survivor voices and strengthening their rights

WAUKESHA, Wis. – Marsy’s Law for Wisconsin recognized Jennifer Dunn, the longtime director of the Waukesha County District Attorney’s Office Victim Witness Assistance Program, with its Champion of Crime Victims’ Rights Award for her dedication to improving crime victims’ experiences in the criminal justice system. 

WATCH AWARD PRESENTATION HERE. 

Dunn has been a zealous advocate for crime survivors throughout her career, beginning as a legal advocate for domestic violence victims in Washington County after law school, where she cofounded the county’s first domestic violence Coordinated Community Response team. Since 1997, she has led the Waukesha County Victim Witness Assistance Program, expanding its part-time crisis response team into a 24-hour program, establishing a Restitution Specialist to help victims with financial recovery, and creating a comfort dog program in which Pepper, the Courthouse Facility Dog, supports children and adults through the court process. 

Dunn has also been integral in keeping the Waukesha community informed and its members’ rights protected. She guided the county through the implementation of Marsy’s Law, responded to several mass violence incidents including the Waukesha Christmas Parade tragedy, and has testified and proposed legislation on victim privacy, restitution, and access. In addition, she has written curriculum used in statewide victim services education and secured funding for technical assistance available to every victim witness program in Wisconsin. Her good work earned her the U.S. Department of Justice’s National Crime Victims’ Service Award in 2021.

The ceremony commenced with brief remarks and was followed by Marsy’s Law for Wisconsin awarding Dunn with the Champion of Victims’ Rights Award. 

“In a profession full of amazing people doing incredible work, Jennifer Dunn is truly the gold standard for victim witness advocates in the state of Wisconsin. Jen has demonstrated unapparelled compassion and commitment to ensuring every crime victim in Waukesha County and the entire state are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve and Marsy’s Law requires. Her efforts have positively impacted countless survivors, helping them on the road to recovery.  Jen is truly a Champion of Crime Victims’ Rights and we are all fortunate she calls Wisconsin home,” said Nela Kalpic, state director for Marsy’s Law for Wisconsin.

WATCH AWARD PRESENTATION HERE. 

Media Note: For media who wish to schedule an interview with a representative from Marsy’s Law for Wisconsin or receive additional information, please contact Madelyn Hughes at mh@platform-communications.com.

###

About Marsy’s Law for Wisconsin

Marsy’s Law for Wisconsin is a grassroots coalition that championed a unique proposal to give victims of crime equal rights in our state, building on Wisconsin’s laws and history of leading on this issue. The crime victims’ rights state constitutional amendment, also known as Marsy’s Law for Wisconsin, was ratified during the April 7, 2020 election with an overwhelming 75 percent of voters in support. Marsy’s Law is named after Marsalee “Marsy” Nicholas of California who was stalked and killed by her ex-boyfriend in 1983. Only one week after her death, Marsy’s mother and brother, Henry T. Nicholas, walked into a grocery store where they were confronted by the accused murderer. The family, who had just come from a visit to Marsy’s grave, was unaware that the accused had been released on bail. In an effort to honor his sister, Dr. Nicholas has made it his life’s mission to give victims and their families constitutional protections and equal rights.