EAU CLAIRE, Wis. – Marsy’s Law for Wisconsin is partnering with the Eau Claire County District Attorney’s Office, Eau Claire Area Hmong Mutual Assistance Association, and the Bolton Refuge House to raise awareness of the rights and resources provided crime victims, through a captivating display of silhouettes at the Eau Claire County Courthouse.
On Thursday, Jan. 29, eight red silhouettes will be displayed inside the courthouse—representing the unseen survivors that walk among us who have been victimized by crimes. These silhouettes highlight key rights guaranteed to victims under Wisconsin’s constitutional crime victims’ rights amendment, known as Marsy’s Law, including: the rights to privacy, to notice, to confer with the prosecution, to be present, to be heard, to restitution, to know their rights, and to enforce these rights.
Each silhouette will be painted red to ensure visibility and will include QR codes that link directly to resources at the county and state levels. These are provided by Marsy’s Law for Wisconsin, Eau Claire County District Attorney’s Office, Eau Claire Area Hmong Mutual Assistance Association, and the Bolton Refuge House. The bright visibility and accessible language intends to both educate those who are not familiar with the criminal justice system and remind us of the human element behind the policies that we support as advocates, voters, and citizens.
“This event brings light to the critical protections inside Marsy’s Law, putting victims’ rights in the forefront focus—which is what they deserve,” said Victim Advocate at Bolton Refuge House Bronson Stein.
“Everyday, innocent people become victims and are thrust into the criminal justice process through no fault of their own,” said Eau Claire County District Attorney Peter J. Rindal. “These silhouettes serve as a reminder that these protections are not abstract—they could be needed by any one of us at any time and, because of that, we all should have greater awareness.”
“We hope these silhouettes will encourage members of the Hmong community – and everyone in the Eau Claire area – to recognize that if they are victimized by crime they have rights and resources available to help get their lives back on track,” said Mao Xiong, Interim Executive Director of Eau Claire Area Hmong Mutual Assistance Association.
“Awareness is key to making sure crime victims’ are properly exercising their constitutional rights,” said Nela Kalpic, State Director for Marsy’s Law for Wisconsin. “We are grateful to District Attorney Peter J. Rindal, Bolton Refuge House, and the Eau Claire Area Hmong Mutual Assistance Association for working with us on this important event to build greater awareness of Marsy’s Law in Eau Claire.”
The eight silhouettes will be publicly placed from 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 29 at the Eau Claire County Courthouse., 721 Oxford Ave., Eau Claire, WI 54703.
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.
