Pictured from left to right: Anne Kessenich, Michelle Viste, Nela Kalpic, Erin Welsh, David Perlman
MILWAUKEE, Wis. — Today, Marsy’s Law for Wisconsin recognized some of Wisconsin’s leading crime victim advocates for their work in helping to launch and execute the Marsy’s Law mapping exercises over the last four years. The event took place at the Sojourner Family Peace Center in Milwaukee. The mapping exercises literally “map” the journey a crime victim takes through the criminal justice system from the time an initial call is made to law enforcement through post-conviction proceedings. The exercises have been praised for their impact in strengthening the implementation and enforcement of victims’ rights within Wisconsin’s criminal justice process following the 2020 ratification of Wisconsin’s crime victims’ rights constitutional amendment known as Marsy’s Law.
The ceremony commenced with brief remarks and followed with Marsy’s Law for Wisconsin awarding the following individuals with the Champion of Victims’ Rights Award:
- Anne Kessenich, Operations Director, Wisconsin Crime Victims’ Rights Board; Policy Initiatives Advisor, Wisconsin Department of Justice Office of Crime Victim Services
- Miriam Falk, Assistant Attorney General, Wisconsin Department of Justice
- Erin Welsh, Deputy Director, Office of Crime Victim Services, Wisconsin Department of Justice
- David Perlman, Judicial Education Manager with the Office of State Courts
- Michelle Viste, Dane County Assistant District Attorney and former Director, Office of the Crime Victim Services, Wisconsin Department of Justice
“I’m grateful for the thoughtfulness and dedication displayed by the recipients of this award,” said Attorney General Josh Kaul. “Thank you for your commitment to making victims’ rights a reality for crime victims in Wisconsin.”
“Mapping exercises have been game changers in helping improve knowledge and awareness across the criminal justice system of the difficult journey crime victims can face,” said Erin Welsh. “The Office of Crime Victim Services is grateful to work with Marsy’s Law on the mapping exercises that are leading to more compassionate and informed interactions for victims of crime.”
“Each of these individuals has played an integral role in bringing the victims’ rights mapping exercises to life and making them better as time has gone on,” said Nela Kalpic, State Director for Marsy’s Law for Wisconsin. “I have been proud to partner with them to help improve how victims interact with criminal justice system stakeholders – including ensuring access to their rights provided by Marsy’s Law. Anne, Miriam, Erin, David and Michelle are true champions of victims’ rights in every sense.”
