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Christy Burch of Women’s Crisis Center receives Marsy’s Law award for distinctive service to victims


Christy Burch of the Women’s Crisis Center in Hebron, is among the first winners of the Kentucky Distinction in Victim Services Award.

Marsy’s Law for Kentucky, a campaign championing constitutional rights for crime victims, has recognized four of many outstanding individuals who go above and beyond to protect and support victims.

Christy Burch, director of Prevention for the Women’s Crisis Center


 
In the lead up to the November election, Marsy’s Law launched a statewide Kentucky Distinction in Victim Services Award to recognize outstanding professionals in the criminal justice field – attorneys, advocates and law enforcement officers – who demonstrate a commitment to a victim-centered approach in their work.
 
The first recipients of the 2018 Marsy’s Law for Kentucky Distinction in Victim Services Award are:

• Kelly Clarke and the Commonwealth Attorney’s Office of Maysville Kentucky
• Detective Anthony “Tony” Gipson, Louisville Metro Police Department, Special Victims Unit
• Kathy Paulin, Mary Byron Project, Program Coordinator
• Christy Burch, Hebron Women’s Crisis Center, Director of Prevention
• Amber Koenig, Louisville Metro Police Department, Detective – Victim’s Advocate
 
“I am truly honored to present these awards. The nominations that we received were incredibly moving and contained a common thread. These professionals are consistently willing to take the time out of their busy schedules to respond with compassion, kindness, and respect,” Christiansen said. “They listen, explain and allow survivors to feel heard and supported. This, in turn, has allowed survivors to heal.”
 
Marsy’s Law for Kentucky is accepting nominations for outstanding Kentucky public servants and will recognize them throughout the summer. Nominations may be submitted via a form on our Marsy’s Law for Kentucky Facebook page or by requesting a form at ashlea@marsyslaw.us.
 
Kentucky is one of only 16 states without constitutional-level rights for victims of crime.

If adopted by Kentucky voters this November, Marsy’s Law would amend the state’s constitution to ensure crime victims have the right to a voice in the judicial process, the right to be present in judicial hearings and the right to be made aware of upcoming hearings or changes in their offenders’ status.
 


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