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National Crime Victims' Rights Week, first established in 1981, challenges communities to come together in order to confront and remove barriers to achieving justice for all victims of crime. This year's theme
is: "Survivor Voices: Elevate. Engage. Effect Change." It calls on community members to recognize that we have a responsibility to elevate the voices of survivors to ensure they are rightfully heard and seen.
To cultivate this message and engage the public in this important endeavor, the county's Department of the Prosecuting Attorney presented two events this week.
The department held a powerful performance of "Seven" on Tuesday at ProArts Playhouse in Kihei. "Seven" tells the stories of seven women from seven different countries who faced tremendous challenges in their lives, including rape, poverty and human trafficking. While the content is certainly difficult, the stories told are ultimately ones of triumph and were well-received by the audience, which was at capacity. One of the women whose real-life story is portrayed in "Seven," Marina Pisklakova-Parker, shared her experiences onstage after the performance. The opportunity to engage directly with Pisklakova-Parker made this special event a powerful and creative way to connect with our community.
Pisklakova-Parker also joined the department the following evening, on Wednesday, for our candlelight vigil and ceremony in honor of victims, survivors and their families. Mayor Richard Bissen spoke about the community's commitment to make a positive difference in the lives of victims. Then, Shayna Carroll, a survivor from Maui, and Pisklakova-Parker courageously shared their inspiring stories and challenged us to elevate the voices of victims and to find new ways to effect change.
The ceremony at the Kalana O Maui county building in Wailuku concluded with a powerful performance by Halau Kekuaokala'au'ala'iliahi. Those who were unable to attend can still view the ceremony and candlelight vigil by visiting the County of Maui Facebook page.
For those of us at the county Department of the Prosecuting Attorney, National Crime Victims' Rights Week is extremely important.
The Office for Victims of Crime, a division of the U.S. Department of Justice, reminds us that we often assume "justice" for crime victims simply means justice in the courtroom. In other words, some think that a guilty verdict for the offender, and a sentencing commiserate with the seriousness of the crime, are enough. But for those who experienced direct harm as a result of the crime -- abstract, legal notions of justice tend to give way to personal beliefs and feelings about what is just.
"Justice" means something different to each victim. Criminal convictions are important to many victims, but often what is even more significant is that they are treated with compassion and respect, regardless of the case outcome.
Helping survivors find their justice means enforcing victims' rights, listening to and making victims' needs and wishes a priority, and providing victims with access to the resources and services that can help them heal.
Whatever form justice takes within the criminal justice system, fulfilling victims' needs regarding justice requires that their voices be reflected and respected not only in the justice system process — but also in the care and support they receive after the crime has taken place. Survivors must have agency and choice in their interactions with law enforcement, service providers, and health and judicial professionals. And they need a seamless continuum of support to heal from the trauma they suffered.
Helping victims find their personal justice is thus a communitywide, holistic, and ongoing, effort.
We want to thank the local survivors and family members who joined us at our events this week, as well as members of the public who came out in support of National Crime Victims' Rights Week.
If you know someone who is a victim and is afraid to ask for help or does not know where to go, please tell the person that we are here for them. If you, yourself, are a victim who has hesitated to seek help, we are committed to serving you, to protecting your rights as a victim and to finding the services you need.
For more information or to seek support, reach out to the county Department of the Prosecuting Attorney Victim/Witness Assistance Division by calling (808) 270-7695.
* Andrew Martin is the Prosecuting Attorney for the County of Maui.