Giving a voice to the voiceless

This week Carbon County honors the voice of the voiceless for National Crime Victims Rights Week, which goes from April 21 to April 27. Carbon County and victims’ rights advocates are honoring and remembering those who have been victims of crime.

According to the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC), “this year’s theme is a call to action for us all to create safe environments for crime victims to share what happened to them. By doing so, we’re able to offer support, options for life-saving services, and, most importantly, hope.”

A candlelight vigil will take place in Washington, D.C. at the National Mall on Thursday, April 25 to pay tribute to victims of crime and the many dedicated professionals and volunteers who advocate on their behalf.

Loretta Hansen, Victim/Witness Coordinator for the Carbon County Sheriff’s Office, said this week is important because victims should not be forgotten or ignored.

“Every year we recognize all those who have been victims of crimes,” Hansen said. “Each year the OVC comes out with a new theme title which is Options, Services, and Hope for Crime Survivors. Our department is the main resource to help victims. When we have a crime victim, we help them from the time of the incident through the criminal justice process.”

Hansen said her job is to advocate for victims when preparing them to testify. She said she makes sure the victims she represents are always ready.

“If a victim or witness is required to testify on the witness stand during the trial, we prepare them for their court testimony,” Hansen said “Our office accompanies victims and witnesses to other court hearings for various reasons.”

Hansen and her assistant are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Her office responds to the crime scene at the request of the law enforcement officers and county coroner. Hansen assists crime victims from the time of the initial incident through the adjudication of the criminal case.

“Our program has two full-time employees. We work with 13 law enforcement agencies and we provide services to anyone who is a crime victim in Carbon County,” Hansen said. “Crime victims can be residents or people who are traveling through our county.”

If you have been a victim of a crime, witnessed a crime, or know someone who has been a crime victim, you are encouraged to contact CCSO at (307) 328-7713 or dispatch (307) 324-2776. If you are coming forward as a victim you can contact Hasen at [email protected] All victims and witnesses will remain anonymous.