In 2009, Dr. Henry Nicholas formed Marsy’s Law for All and, throughout the years, many talented and passionate individuals have answered the call to help ensure victims have the rights they deserve. The Marsy’s Law for All team is comprised of men and women across the United States who are dedicated to serving victims of crime, in some cases themselves having personally experienced the devasting effects of being victimized. We are grateful for the opportunity to share the stories of those behind Marsy’s Law for All and why we have chosen to commit ourselves to helping victims through the passage of Marsy’s Law.

Please meet Kathryn Carr, Marsy’s Law for All Director of National Outreach, who is responsible for working with citizens across the country who are interested in joining the effort to pass Marsy’s Law.

What made you interested in working with Marsy’s Law?

Every person has either been through something, is going through something, or will go through something in their lifetime. However, for victims of violent crimes, to not only endure the crime, but to also be victimized by the courts is a cruel injustice.  

Marsy’s Law is making significant changes to the way courts treat victims of violent crimes. It is humbling to be a part of the change.

Is there any experience you can/would be comfortable sharing about how Marsy’s Law could’ve/has affected you personally?

I prefer the term survivor to victim, but unfortunately, yes, I carry that title on my life’s resume. That life experience gave me more compassion for the hurting world. I have been amazed at how closely knit the crime victim world is. I don’t have to know every detail to every story to be able to empathize with a fellow victim. It is shattering to have your life impacted by someone else’s ill-intended actions; having support and community helps restore and rebuild the faith in humanity that was so desperately destroyed.

If Marsy’s Law had been available at the time of my trial, I believe I would have felt safer through notification and I would have been aware of my rights, which would have made all the difference in the world.

What were you doing prior to working on Marsy’s Law?

Prior to Marsy’s Law, I was working at the George W. Bush Presidential Center on a program called Presidential Leadership Scholars. Presidential Leadership Scholars is a leadership program, which draws on the resources of the presidential centers of George W. Bush, William J. Clinton, George H.W. Bush, and Lyndon B. Johnson. Serving President Bush was the greatest honour of my life. It was an amazing experience and I respect President Bush for all he has done for our country both while in office and as his legacy continues to grow. It was a tough decision to leave such a remarkable place, but Marsy’s Law provides me an opportunity to take a difficult personal life experience and transform it into something positive.

Tell us something fun we don’t know about you!

I am a true animal lover (I know people say that, but I really mean it)! My beautiful Labrador/ Pit-Bull, Olivia, is the sunshine of my life. We found each other later in life and have both experienced some of life’s harshness. When I met her, I saw the same broken look in her eyes that I carried in my own, yet she didn’t hesitate to wag her tail and offer me a chance to love her. To earn the trust of an abused dog results in pure love and fierce loyalty. She teaches me how to be a better person through her unconditional love and willingness to both trust and forgive. One day I hope to be the person she thinks I am. 

Olivia and I also share a love for Chick-Fil-A. I have driven well over 200 miles to reach the closest Chick-Fil-A. It’s a real passion.

If you could explain why you personally think Marsy’s Law is needed, what would you say?

We live in the greatest country in the world – a country where justice and liberty are the base of our constitution. Rapists, murderers, and abusers should not have more rights and access to justice than their victims. Marsy’s Law only makes America stronger.