Reader's View: Real justice starts with access

As part of our ongoing effort to elevate the importance of equal rights for crime victims, we’re pleased to share this op-ed written by Kelly Burger, originally published in the Superior Telegram. 

July 18th, 2025

When someone is harmed by crime, they’re often left navigating a confusing and overwhelming system, at a time when they’re most vulnerable. That’s why the work we do at the Center Against Sexual & Domestic Abuse (CASDA) is so critical. We don’t just offer support; we help survivors understand their rights and how to access them.

In 2020, Wisconsin voters overwhelmingly passed Marsy’s Law, a constitutional amendment that gives crime victims a number of important rights, including the right to be treated with dignity, to be informed of court proceedings, and to have a voice in the process.

But these rights only matter if victims know they exist and know how to exercise them. That’s where victim service providers like CASDA come in.

Every day, our advocates walk alongside survivors in Douglas County, helping them understand the legal process, supporting them through trauma, and making sure they’re not alone. We are proud to help connect survivors with the protections offered under Marsy’s Law, and to work with system partners to ensure those rights are upheld.

This work is about more than services. It’s about building a system that sees victims, respects their experiences, and helps them heal.

Real justice starts with access. And that access begins with the people and organizations who show up every day to make sure no one is left behind.