Marsy’s Law for All and the Marsy’s Law for Georgia team attended the National Organization for Victim Assistance (NOVA) conference from August 14th through August 17th. Victims’ advocates attended from all over the country including a large delegation from the armed forces. A great number of people stopped by our table for information on our movement. Most had heard about Marsy’s Law already and were curious to gain more information. Many expressed interest in seeing Marsy’s Law come to their states as well.

Marsy’s Law for Georgia coordinated for victim advocate Belisa Urbina to present at the conference. Belisa Urbina is the founder and executive director of Ser Familia/Georgia Latinos Against Domestic Violence (GLADV). Her presentation was given to a standing room only crowd and focused on the great need we have in Georgia for more bilingual and bicultural victim advocates who know how to appropriately service that growing and currently under-serviced victim community.

Many in the immigrant community do not report to the police when someone victimizes them which leaves them more exposed to predators. This is especially happening with Latino and Asian youth. When one part of our community is victimized, it should concern us all because it truly does affect us all. Belisa Urbina and Ann Casas also had the opportunity to speak with the new executive director of NOVA, retired Chief Justice Richard Barajas, about the issues facing our state and about Marsy’s Law for Georgia’s push for a higher level of rights to protect all of our community.

Belisa Urbina and Ann Casas also had the opportunity to speak with the new executive director of NOVA, retired Chief Justice Richard Barajas, about the issues facing our state and about Marsy’s Law for Georgia’s push for a higher level of rights to protect all of our community.

Bill Jenkins of Marsy’s Law Illinois and Marsy’s Law for Georgia State Director Ann Casas presented at the conference on Marsy’s Law for All’s efforts for equal constitutional rights across the nation to a very engaged group of advocates. The presentation traced the history of the push for crime victims rights in the United States. Historically, the initial role most victims held was the actual prosecutor of their own cases at our country’s inception. With the rise of the professional prosecutor, the victim’s role and rights became marginalized until the mid-20th century when the push for crime victims’ rights began to gain momentum. The presentation culminated with what we are doing at Marsy’s Law to give crime victims equal standing and equal constitutional rights.

Overall, Marsy’s Law was well received by those in attendance and we are grateful to have had the opportunity to connect with so many who advocate for victims across our nation!