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Amanda came into contact with the BCJC after experiencing frustration over the lack of responsiveness she experienced when interacting with the victim support systems of the criminal legal system.
After learning that her ex-husband abused and sexually assaulted two of her children, Amanda sought support from the Victims Advocate in the State’s Attorney’s office in the county in which the assaults took place, about accountability measures and steps towards moving forward. After reaching out, Amanda was met with several month-long gaps between responses. When she did receive responses, she felt they lacked empathy, emotion, and care for the individual. She also learned about the gaps in the law regarding bail criteria, and how it fails to effectively ensure community safety.
After feeling exasperated with the punitive system, Amanda contacted Parallel Justice at the BCJC for support. Parallel Justice is a “victim-centered approach to crime and harm that works parallel to (but independent from) the criminal legal system.” Rachel Jolly, the CEDO Assistant Director, responded. This was deeply meaningful to Amanda. Amanda says that Rachel and the BCJC were able to provide her with “connections, resources, validation.”
Amanda is moving forward with accountability measures and advocacy work to update responsible party bail criteria. She is grateful for the responsiveness and care that Rachel and the BCJC showed her and how she felt that the BCJC programs go “above and beyond.” Through her interaction and connection with the BCJC, Amanda was able to feel heard, validated, and supported.
When asked “What does justice mean to you?” Amanda responded, “Justice means that my kids feel heard, validated and are content with the consequences that are given. Overall, they are the ones that have suffered, they are the ones that have struggled and they will live with this experience forever.”