WISCONSIN RAPIDS, Wis. – The Wood County District Attorney’s Office collaborated with Marsy’s Law for Wisconsin and Wisconsin Rapids Family Center yesterday to help spotlight the rights and resources readily available to victims.
Through a series of eight silhouettes inside the courthouse, observers can scan a QR code that links directly to resources at the county and state levels, including Marsy’s Law for Wisconsin, Wisconsin Rapids Family Center, and statewide victim resources. Painted bright red for visibility, these silhouettes serve to provide further education on the criminal justice system, while representing the real people who are impacted in the community daily.
“Victims often feel lost and powerless. It is imperative that society not only insist on victims having rights in these situations but also that victims are informed about these rights and how to enforce them.The silhouettes serve as a reminder that victims are our neighbors and our family. They need to come into shape in our conscious mind because we might otherwise overlook the hurting souls in need in our communities,” said District Attorney Jonathan Barnett.
“This event highlights the critical protections inside Marsy’s Law, such as the right to privacy, to be present and to be heard,” said Wisconsin Rapids Family Center Executive Director Tricia Fancher, which provides shelter and services for victims of domestic abuse. “Making sure our community is aware of these protections is crucial to protecting future victims’, who interact with the justice system at no fault of their own.”
“We are grateful to the Wood County District Attorney’s Office and the Wisconsin Rapids Family Center for partnering with us to build greater understanding of Marsy’s Law and the resources available to victims in our community,” said Nela Kalpic, state director for Marsy’s Law for Wisconsin.
The silhouettes will be available to view until Monday.
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 Alec Zimmerman at az@platform-communications.com.