Madison, WI - Marsy’s Law for Wisconsin is partnering with the Wisconsin National Guard to conduct a groundbreaking victims’ rights mapping exercise. The participants will trace the journey of a hypothetical National Guard member crime victim through their experience navigating both the military and civilian criminal justice systems — beginning with the initial incident investigation and extending through post-conviction and military separation proceedings.
This first-of-its-kind exercise is designed to provide a comprehensive view of the key “touch points” a National Guard victim encounters across both systems. Participants will work to identify gaps, challenges, and areas for improvement while fostering collaboration between military and civilian organizations. The goal is to ensure victims have meaningful access to their rights under Wisconsin’s crime victims’ rights constitutional amendment known as Marsy’s Law and to promote interactions throughout the justice process prioritizing trauma-informed care, procedural fairness, and accessibility.
Building on Marsy’s Law’s successful victim rights mapping initiatives previously conducted in various counties across Wisconsin, this exercise represents the first effort specifically tailored to the experiences of military victims of crime.
The event creators and key stakeholders include Marsy’s Law for Wisconsin State Director Nela Kalpic and Kelly Donner WI SAPR Officer. Participants will include representatives from the Wisconsin National Guard, Wisconsin Department of Justice, National Guard Bureau, Army and Air Force Offices of Special Trial Counsel, the Federal Bureau of Investigations, victim service organizations, law enforcement, the courts, and the Wisconsin Department of Corrections.
“This initiative reflects our commitment to ensuring meaningful, accessible rights for all victims of crime, including those in military service,” said Nela Kalpic. “By mapping out the unique journey of a military victim, we can identify key opportunities to improve the systems that serve them.”
“This exercise is a critical step toward bridging the military and civilian justice systems, ensuring that military victims receive dignified and trauma-informed support every step of the way,” added Kelly Donner.
The mapping exercise will take place from 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Friday, Feb. 28 at Joint Force Headquarters, Witmer Hall, 2400 Wright St. Madison, WI. The mapping exercise is being held in conjunction with the National Guard’s 2025 Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) Summit.
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About Marsy’s Law for Wisconsin
Marsy’s Law for Wisconsin is a grassroots coalition that championed a unique proposal to give victims of crime equal rights in our state, building on Wisconsin’s laws and history of leading on this issue. The crime victims’ rights state constitutional amendment, also known as Marsy’s Law for Wisconsin, was ratified during the April 7, 2020 election with an overwhelming 75 percent of voters in support. Marsy’s Law is named after Marsalee “Marsy” Nicholas of California who was stalked and killed by her ex-boyfriend in 1983. Only one week after her death, Marsy’s mother and brother, Henry T. Nicholas, walked into a grocery store where they were confronted by the accused murderer. The family, who had just come from a visit to Marsy’s grave, was unaware that the accused had been released on bail. In an effort to honor his sister, Dr. Nicholas has made it his life’s mission to give victims and their families constitutional protections and equal rights.