LETTERS: Freedom reader talks Marsy's Law, says it offers a voice for victims

As part of our ongoing effort to elevate voices calling for equal rights for crime victims, we’re pleased to share this op-ed from Kevin Brennenstuhl, originally published by the Post Crescent.

October 28, 2025

I recently joined advocates, law enforcement officers, prosecutors, court officials, corrections professionals, and tribal partners in Green Bay, for the Wisconsin Serving Victims of Crime Conference, hosted by the National Criminal Justice Training Center.

Over three days, we united around a shared mission: to make the justice system work for those it was built to protect – victims of crime.

What made this conference unforgettable were the voices of survivors. Their stories were a call to action. Behind every case file is a human being seeking dignity, safety, and justice. We explored topics like school safety, the “Speak Up, Speak Out” tip line, tribal services for endangered youth, and wellness strategies for responders carrying the emotional weight of this work.

Through it all, one theme kept rising to the surface: Marsy’s Law.

Marsy’s Law isn’t just a constitutional amendment — it’s a promise. A promise of dignity, privacy, safety, and a voice for victims. But promises must be kept. Rights must be more than words — they must be felt in every returned phone call, every timely hearing notice, every safety plan.

This conference was a reminder that every agency handoff, decision, and moment matters. Victims should never have to navigate this system alone. Marsy’s Law demands that we do better — and we must rise to that challenge.

Our work doesn’t end with the conference. It continues in every call, every notice, every hearing, and every decision we make. Because justice isn’t a destination — it’s a daily commitment.