MARSY’S LAW HONORED TO NAME SHERIFF CAIN AMONG DAVIESS COUNTY CAMPAIGN CHAIRS

Sheriff Cain joins sexual assault advocates to strengthen voice for crime victims’ rights

Owensboro, Ky. (December 14, 2017) – Marsy’s Law for Kentucky is honored to name influential Daviess County leaders to help guide the crime victims’ rights campaign to success in 2018.  Sheriff Keith Cain will join Karla Ward, Executive Director of New Beginnings Sexual Assault Center and Andrea S. Wise, a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner at Owensboro Health Regional Hospital, as Daviess County Campaign Chairs. Daviess County will have the unique leadership of campaign chairs who work with crime victims in their daily lives as they bring voices to the Frankfort.

“As Sheriff, it is always my first priority to protect and serve the residents of Daviess County, and I can’t think of a better way to do that than ensure the voices of our crime victims and families are heard,” Sheriff Keith Cain said. “Marsy’s Law is a commonsense legislation that should have been passed years ago. It’s time for Marsy’s Law to pass in 2018.”

Kentucky is one of only 14 states without constitutional-level rights for victims of crime. If adopted by Kentucky voters in November 2018, Marsy’s Law would amend Kentucky’s constitution to ensure crime victims have the right to a voice in the judicial process, the right to be present in judicial hearings and the right to be made aware of upcoming hearings or changes in their offenders’ status. 

“In my line of work as a sexual assault nurse, I know how frightening the entire process is for crime victims. When they feel that they are not heard, or treated with the same respect and dignity as the accused, it hinders healing,” Andrea Wise said. “Marsy’s Law ensures that crime victims have rights that every person would expect to have in the same situation.”

“We know Kentuckians want to vote for Marsy’s Law on the November 2018 ballot,” Marsy’s Law State Director Ashlea Christiansen said. “We are so grateful for our Daviess County Chairs who will take their experience in the field and carry it with the voices of Daviess County to Frankfort, so that all victims of crime can have constitutional rights.”

Marsy’s Law for Kentucky has the bi-partisan support of elected officials, judges, law enforcement officials and advocacy groups. Kentucky voters also strongly favor Marsy’s Law, with recent surveys showing Marsy’s law has 80% support statewide. Marsy’s Law is expected to be a priority bill for both chambers in the 2018 General Assembly. 

“Our victims deserve to have the same level of rights as the accused,” Karla Ward said. “This law will ensure victims will be treated with the dignity, fairness, and respect they deserve.”

More than 30,000 Kentuckians have pledged their support for Marsy’s Law.

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About Marsy’s Law for Kentucky

Marsy’s Law for Kentucky is an advocate-driven effort to incorporate a victims’ bill of rights in the state constitution. Kentucky is one of only 14 states that do not provide crime victims with constitutional-level protections. To learn more or if you would like to sign the petition and add your “purple pin” to the map, you can do so here. Those wishing to join the coalition can do so here. Please visit www.marsyslaw.us, follow us on Facebook or Twitter.