A NEW PLACE TO TURN FOR VICTIMS OF VIOLENT CRIMES

PFMLIT CRIME VICTIM PROGRAMS, General, LAURA AHEARN AND PARENTS FOR MEGANS LAW, PFML, VICTIM USES COURTS TO STRIKE BACK

Most people don't know that if you are a victim of a violent crime, you are entitled to services and crime victim compensation, said Laura Ahearn, founder and executive director of the Suffolk County Crime Victims Center, an organization in Stony Brook recently established to support all victims of violent crimes.  Ahearn also serves as executive director of Parents For Megan's Law.  For years, there have been established protocols for a specific population of victims, whereby organizations are actually reaching out to them to ensure that they are being provided with the support services they may require, Ahearn said.  But for all other victims of violent crimes, there is no outreach...  They are basically left out on their own to figure out what services they might need and what services they are eligible for.  The CVC has changed all that.  

(New York)