Mother’s Day is a time to honor our mothers and those of us who get to spend time this weekend with their mothers are especially blessed. Unfortunately, Mother’s Day is not a happy day for everyone. Thousands of children have lost their mothers to violent crime and thousands of mothers have lost their children because of crime. For these victims and survivors, Mother’s Day can be a very difficult time. While those crime victims will have memories, they will never again get to share this special day with their loved ones.

Marsy’s Law is named after Marsalee Nicholas, who was murdered by her ex-boyfriend in 1983. Marsy’s mother, Marcella, hasn’t been able to spend a Mother’s Day with her daughter ever since. Holidays like Mother’s Day are often a painful reminder to crime victims of the tragedy they have experienced because of senseless crimes. It is a time when a mother misses her murdered daughter or when a child misses their murdered mother.

No degree of punishment for a criminal will ever give a child their mother back, but basic rights will help victims get through the process with less emotional distress. It is important for our criminal justice system to treat crime victims with respect and dignity so they are not re-victimized like Marcella was as she went through the criminal process after her daughter was murdered. To learn more about Marsy’s story, click here.

So on this Mother’s Day, think about your mother and think about how lucky you are if your mother is still alive… but also think about the crime victims who lost their mother and the mothers who lost a child. If you know someone who has lost their mother or a mother who has lost a child, reach out to them and offer consolation to help them get through this special day.

Jason Glodt, Marsy’s Law For South Dakota Director