We are thrilled to share the wonderful news that Victims for Justice has been chosen as the designated beneficiary for the prestigious Trend Alaska Fashion Show Fundraiser. Trend is an exceptional fashion event that celebrates the talents of artists and designers from across the entire state.
Our Executive Director, Suki Miller, along with our President of the Board, Blaze Bell, had the privilege of attending the exclusive 2024 Trend Alaska Kick-off reception at Green Connection. During this event, the captivating theme and exciting plans for the 2024 show were unveiled. It was truly an honor to be surrounded by such a supportive community of individuals who share our passion for justice and empowerment.
Thank you to Trend and everyone involved for this amazing opportunity!
Please join Victims for Justice as we honor and remember the victims of homicide throughout Alaska. This Memorial serves as an opportunity to come together, reflect on the impact crime has on our community, support the families and friends who have lost loved ones to violent crime, and look towards the future with hope and healing. This year’s ceremony will be held Saturday, July 15, 2023, at 12pm. The Homicide Memorial is located at Hostetler Park, 335 L St.
Tribal Welcoming – Trésia Coleman, Trustee on the Native Village of Eklutna Council
Guest Speaker – Anchorage Assembly Member George Martinez District 5, Seat I
Reading of Names – Treece Hanley, Victims For Justice Board Member
Honoring Founders’ Legacy. Proudly retaining the Forget-me-not icon, our non-profit organization, founded in 1985 following the tragic loss of Janice Lienhart and Sharon Nahorney’s parents and aunt in a brutal home invasion, remains steadfast in empowering survivors and seeking justice for all victims of crime here in Alaska.
Our refreshed brand identity showcases our commitment to creating a safe and just society, while also highlighting our evolution as a trusted resource for survivors and advocates.
What a Memorable Night! We extend heartfelt gratitude to everyone who joined us at the Victim Service Awards, showing support for National Crime Victims Rights Week. Special thanks to our wonderful hosts, President of the Board Blaze Bell, and April Powers. A big shout-out to our amazing volunteers and all attendees. Your presence and support mean the world to us at Victims for Justice. Thank you for empowering our mission!
We extend our heartfelt appreciation to the Anchorage Municipal Assembly for officially recognizing April 23rd through April 29th as National Crime Victim’s Week. A special thank you for presenting our Board President, Blaze Bell, and our Executive Director, Suki Miller, with a Proclamation in honor of National Crime Victims Rights Week 2023. Your support means the world to us as we continue to advocate for justice and empowerment. Together, we can make a difference for victims and their rights.
Each year, individuals and groups are recognized for their dedication and outstanding contributions to the victim services and rights in their communities. On May 31st. To close out National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, the 2022 Victims Service Awards Ceremony took place. Congratulations to the Winners and to all who were nominated.
ALEUTIAN-PRIBILOF ISLANDS ASSOCIATION – HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS ADVOCATES –WINNER– “[The] advocates have lived experience, and serve people with love, patience, respect, understanding and compassion. [They] are dedicated to supporting those experiencing violence and making sure they never feel alone or become lost in the system.”
BETSY BULL – ASSISTANT DISTRICT ATTORNEY, SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT “When the family and victim showed significant distress and disappointment [she] was so compassionate and caring… As an observer, her sincerity was authentic and made the victim feel validated.”
CHRISTOPHER THOMAS – DETECTIVE, ANCHORAGE POLICE DEPARTMENT –WINNER– “The trial was postponed for the umpteenth time which was painful. Detective Thomas made it clear that no matter when it was rescheduled, he would be there… His compassion and caring made such a huge difference.”
ERICA LOLESIO- MOTHER, CEO/PRESIDENT OF JUANITA STRONG FOREVER PROJECT –WINNER– “She is a pioneer and the bravest person I have ever known… [she is] keeping her daughters memory alive by creating programs to help youth of all communities find a positive outlet, and grow in a healthy, educated, loving environment.”
HENRIETTA LONG- ADVOCATE, Her heart and soul truly believe in empowering our survivors in their path to safety and she always picks her words wisely when teaching life’s lessons.”
KTOO- NEWS TEAM –WINNER– “Reporters have been developing relationships with victims in missing persons cases…KTOO is not letting already lost people be forgotten by the community “
MICHELLE EVANS- ADVOCATE, VICTIMS FOR JUSTICE “Michelle is always available for us and has helped us through difficult times. She has attended every hearing with us to help us set expectations and more.”
NATIVE VILLAGE OF PORT HEIDEN- WELLNESS TEAM “[They have] responded to many situations where victims of violent crime needed support. With all of their individual strengths, they have shown culturally-based response with compassion, non-judgmental support, kept people safe, referred to services, assisted with court cases, and helped people heal from the effects of violence.”
OFFICE OF CHILDREN’S SERVICES (OCS)- MULTI-DISCIPLINARY CENTER While they do not often get credit as first responders, they are on the front lines every day working aside law enforcement to respond to extreme cases of child abuse and neglect. Their services did not cease during the pandemic.”
SARA RASMUSSEN- ALASKA STATE REPRESENTATIVE –WINNER– Representative Rasmussen has become an outspoken advocate for crime victims… She is unafraid to take on tough issues. She has sponsored or co-sponsored several pieces of pro-victim legislation, including acts relating to domestic violence, sexual abuse of a minor and other crime victim-related issues.”
TAMI TRUETT JERUE- EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ALASKA NATIVE WOMEN’S RESOURCE CENTER –WINNER– Tami has dedicated her life to advocating for people to be safe. She worked at the tribal level for many years doing not only advocacy work helping families but also working on the policy side of the issues. Through that work she began to envision a resource center specifically to help our Alaska Native Tribes on the tribal, state, and federal levels of policy and grant management.”
Cynthia Gachupin is a new advocate at Victims for Justice. She was hired as an executive assistant last fall but made it known shortly afterward that she would be interested in training to be a victim advocate. Cynthia took time for a brief interview so our readers and clients can get to know her. What follows are excerpts:
In a nutshell, what is your professional background and why did you choose that career path?
I have a BA in Human Services and have mostly had Admin Assistant positions over the last 15 years. Now that my kids are older, I can follow my passion/career path that I have always wanted to do.
Why did you decide you wanted to work for VFJ?
I had a family member that was murdered a few years ago in California. My family was able to utilize an organization like VFJ to help with expenses and counseling. When I saw that VFJ was hiring I was very excited to get the opportunity to work for this org.
What do you like most about this work?
I love that I can help and support people/families going through such difficult situations. Our work is so important and has so much purpose…
At the end of my workday, I can go home feeling as though I have made a difference.
What do you hope to accomplish during your time at VFJ?
I hope to continue my education in Advocacy and gain more experience. I would like to be the best Advocate that I can be and help the people/families that we serve.
How do you fill your free time (assuming you have any! 😊 I know as a working parent the concept of free time is aspirational at best!)?
I have three children between the ages of 6-15 and I spend most of my free time with them. We spend a lot of quality time indoors since the pandemic and my favorite thing to do is to have a “movie night” when new releases are streaming. We make popcorn, candy boxes, and bring out all our pillows/blankets for an at home “theater experience”.
Anything else about yourself that you would like to add? (How long you’ve been in Alaska, where you have lived outside the state if applicable, any foreign languages, volunteer experiences, etc
I grew up in southern California and moved to AK when I was 22. I’ve lived here for almost 16 years and have raised my kids in the Chugiak/Anchorage community.
The main job of a juror in a criminal trial is to apply the presumption of innocence and the burden of proof beyond a reasonable doubt.
Defendants begin the trial process with a clean slate. In other words, they are presumed to be innocent of the crime they are accused of committing.
To overcome the presumption of innocence, the prosecution must prove every element of the crime or crimes beyond a reasonable doubt.
The requirement that the prosecution must prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt is called the burden of proof. The defendant is not required to prove his or her innocence. And they have a right not to testify.
What is reasonable doubt? It’s a doubt about the defendant’s guilt that arises from the evidence presented, or from a lack of evidence. A reasonable doubt is a doubt based upon reason and common sense. Proof beyond a reasonable doubt must be proof so convincing that, after consideration, you would be willing to rely and act upon it without hesitation in your important affairs.
A defendant must never be found guilty based on mere suspicion, speculation, or guesswork.
What is proof beyond a reasonable doubt? It is the highest level of proof in our legal system. It is not enough that you believe a defendant is probably or likely guilty or even that the evidence shows a strong probability of guilt; the law requires more. Proof beyond a reasonable doubt is proof that overcomes any reasonable doubt about the defendant’s guilt.
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – In downtown Anchorage, Hostetler Park is dedicated to the memory of Alaska victims of homicide. Using a $10,000 grant, the park was rededicated in 2019 by the Anchorage Rotary Club and Victims for Justice — an advocacy group that works to bridge the gaps between the victim’s family members and the offices that deal with violent crimes.
Jorge Rae-Garcia says his experience with Victims for Justice — after his son was murdered in 2016 — is a testament to the organization’s ability to work with the district attorney’s office and Anchorage Police Department investigators to keep family members in the know.
“They gave me a lot of support,” Garcia told Alaska’s News Source on Friday morning. “We, the victims, have a lot of rights. The thing is that we have to look for them.”
According to Garcias, his family initially resorted to knocking on doors and asking strangers for any information that could assist them to determine what happened to their son. He also had trouble reaching the appropriate offices to get information on the now-convicted killer’s court dates.
Victims for Justice was able to get in touch with the DA’s office and continued to support Garcia throughout a 27-month-long trial. While Garcia says he couldn’t be more pleased with his experiences with the group, Victims for Justice Executive Director Victoria Shanklin says the organization has been working to streamline the process of connecting with those in need of their services.
“Our goal in the last couple of the years has been to build our relationships and build referrals at each stage of the process,” she said. “One of the things we found is that it took a long time for victims to find us.”
The organization offers several services to violent crime victims, including coordinating communications with law enforcement, court accompaniment, emotional support groups, limited emergency financial support and assistance filing from crime compensation.
According to Shanklin, the organization’s focus on remaining active in the court system previously led them to more referrals once cases were already in advanced stages. Now, Victims for Justice and APD’s patrol officers are working on developing a closer relationship, so that the non-profit will have more opportunities to assist families immediately after an incident.
“They are responding to phone calls on everything, across the board,” Shanklin said. “Allowing us to focus on the victims … I think that they understand that will help them as well.”
Victims for Justice is a small non-profit operation. There are currently three advocates on staff and they each handle cases from throughout the state. Donations to help assist the organization in continuing its mission can be made here.
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) -Anchorage’s annual Homicide Memorial Ceremony brings an opportunity to raise awareness and express grief while honoring Alaskans whose lives have been cut short due to senseless acts of violence.
“This memorial not only serves as a remembrance of victims of homicide, but it also serves as hope for the future,” said Sean Case, a captain with the Anchorage Police Department who spoke at the event.
Each pillar at Hostetler Park is engraved with the names of victims of homicide in Alaska. 29 names were added Saturday by the group Victims for Justice.
“This is something we all need to be thinking about,” said Victoria Shanklin, executive director of Victims for Justice. “This is something that is impacting all of us, and we need to understand how to best support those who have lost a loved one.”
Among the names added to the memorial Saturday is Chase Bowerson, whose life was taken by a senseless crime in January. He was just 26 years old.
“This is the type of loss that, from my perspective, your wound doesn’t heal,” said Jeff Trent, Bowerson’s father. “It’s been six months since we lost Chase, and just the other day, I felt like this wound to me is just as raw and fresh as it ever was.”
Trent says Chase was a good guy, adding that he was young and ambitious, possessing many good qualities.
“After his passing, I learned even more about him and some of the things he was doing, like charities, and just all these stories came out,” said Trent. “People (were) sharing instances where he’d help people that were less fortunate or needed help.”
Trent is among several others who gathered at the Homicide Memorial ceremony who are also remembering and grieving the loss of their loved one.
“Every life that we lose, it’s not just one individual or one family that’s impacted — it is our entire community, and we feel that impact every single time,” said Shanklin.
The pain extends beyond the families directly impacted. Shanklin says eight names a year added to the memorial used to be the average, but in recent years, she says unfortunately, it’s far exceeded that amount and that there are now over 450 names, and that the memorial site at Hostetler Park is running out of space.
“The whole society needs to act like this is a real problem that we have, and we all need to band together to keep it from happening to others,” said Trent.
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