As part of our ongoing effort to elevate voices calling for equal rights for crime victims, we’re pleased to share this letter to the editor from Meaghan Henry, originally published by The Cap Times.
Dear Editor: Marsy’s Law, our state’s crime victims’ rights constitutional amendment, takes an important step toward putting our children first.
As the executive director of Canopy Center, a child abuse treatment and prevention organization, I witness firsthand the emotional burdens child victims carry. Beyond the everyday challenges of growing up, many children involved in the foster care or child welfare systems face layers of trauma, instability and uncertainty. When you add in a criminal act against a child, these are hardships no child should ever have to navigate, and certainly not alone.
Unfortunately, we can find ourselves in situations where the child’s best interests cannot be adequately represented by their legal guardian. This gap leaves our most vulnerable without a voice when they need it the most.
By allowing judges to appoint someone other than a guardian to exercise a child’s rights in criminal cases, Marsy’s Law opens the door to greater use of trained volunteer advocates, such as a CASA (court appointed special advocate), who is well-positioned to serve in this role. CASA’s provide an essential duty that exists solely to focus on the child's well-being.
The Wisconsin Legislature and Supreme Court have recognized that a child victim/witness may suffer special trauma from exposure to typical trial procedures, requiring additional consideration and different procedures to protect the well-being of the child and to enable the child to give effective, truthful testimony.
Marsy’s Law reflects a commitment to ensuring children are treated with care, dignity and protection within the justice system.
Meaghan Henry