Marsy’s Law for Wisconsin Presents ‘Champion of Victims’ Rights’ Award to Leading Crime Victim Advocates Who Helped Launch Innovative ‘Mapping Exercise’

Anne Kessenich, Miriam Falk, Erin Welsh, David Perlman, and Michelle Viste to receive award for their work on the Marsy’s Law mapping exercises over the last four years.

MILWAUKEE, Wis. — Marsy’s Law for Wisconsin will be recognizing some of Wisconsin’s leading crime victim advocates who helped launch and execute the Marsy’s Law mapping exercises over the last four years. The mapping exercises literally “map” the journey a crime victim takes through the criminal justice system from the time an initial call is made to law enforcement through post-conviction proceedings. The exercises have been praised for their impact in strengthening the implementation and enforcement of victims’ rights within Wisconsin’s criminal justice process. To date, mapping exercises have been held in Brown, Winnebago, Marathon, La Crosse, Eau Claire, Rock, Milwaukee, Douglas, and Bayfield counties.

At Sojourner Family Peace Center, Marsy’s Law for Wisconsin will give brief remarks and present awards to the following individuals:

• Anne Kessenich, Operations Director, Wisconsin Crime Victims’ Rights Board; Policy Initiatives Advisor, Wisconsin Department of Justice Office of Crime Victim Services
• Miriam Falk, Assistant Attorney General, Wisconsin Department of Justice
• Erin Welsh, Deputy Director, Office of Crime Victim Services, Wisconsin Department of Justice
• David Perlman, Judicial Education Manager with the Office of State Courts
• Michelle Viste, Dane County Assistant District Attorney and former Director, Office of the Crime Victim Services, Wisconsin Department of Justice

“Each of these individuals has played an integral role in bringing the victims’ rights mapping exercises to life and making them better as time has gone on,” said Nela Kalpic, State Director for Marsy’s Law for Wisconsin. “I have been proud to partner with them to help improve how victims interact with criminal justice system stakeholders – including ensuring access to their rights provided by Marsy’s Law. Anne, Miriam, Erin, David and Michelle are true champions of victims’ rights in every sense.”

“Mapping exercises have been game changers in helping improve knowledge and awareness across the criminal justice system of the difficult journey crime victims can face,” said Erin Welsh. “The Office of Crime Victim Services is grateful to work with Marsy’s Law on the mapping exercises that are leading to more compassionate and informed interactions for victims of crime.”

The event will be at 2 p.m., Wednesday, March 18 at the Sojourner Family Peace Center, 619 W Walnut Street, Milwaukee 53212.

Media Note: For media who wish to schedule an interview with a representative from Marsy’s Law for Wisconsin or receive additional information, please contact Madelyn Hughes at mh@platform-communications.com