Crime victim advocate brings victim needs to public attention

State cuts threaten important service

[May 21, 2010]  Lisa Bobb thanked the Logan County Board for their interest and a resolution on crime victim rights, saying, "It's always good to have more knowledge and public awareness about a subject that you never hope to find yourself in, that being a victim of crime."

Bobb has been serving as victim witness coordinator for the state's attorney's office in Logan County since December 2008.

Currently, Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan's office offers a violent crime victim assistance grant of $21,000 that supplements the salary for the coordinator. The program has been in existence for the past 25 years, but the fund is dwindling.

Bobb's knowledge of the legal system brings comfort to victims in a number of ways. She stands by a code of standards to respect victims' needs for confidentiality.

A few of the victims she serves are from crimes of domestic violence, DUIs, battery and assault, sexual abuse, crimes against children, and homicide.

By agreement with the grant funding, the coordinator must spend 30 hours per week in direct service to crime victims. She highlighted a few of her jobs.

In the last nine months Bobb has assisted over 90 victims of crimes. Fifty-eight of these victims received assistance through restitution. Restitution is an amount set by the judge at the sentencing.

Through the attorney general's office, there is another financial resource available to victims of a violent crime. The Crime Victims Compensation Fund can offer up to $27,000 to cover out-of-pocket expenses such as funeral costs. Recently, Bobb helped members of a family access this on behalf of their deceased loved ones.

She also helps those in need of information on the perpetrator's location. Victims and witnesses often fear for their safety, not knowing when a perpetrator might be released. There is a statewide Automatic Victim Notification System. She informs and assists victims and witnesses with getting registered to access that system, which provides information about the offender and their case status. Bobb helps enroll five to 10 new victims each quarter for this service.

There is another way she helps victims during the court process. The Crime Victim's Bill of Rights and the Illinois Constitution allow victims the legal right to submit a victim impact statement. This is an opportunity for the victim to let the offender and their judge hear how this crime has affected the victim's life physically, financially, psychologically and emotionally: "It's one voice the victim has to be heard in the criminal justice system."

Bobb says that she finds the work personally emotional, and rewarding, to be able to reach out to victims who can be overlooked in the aftermath of crime.

Last year when the state cut funding, Logan County lost its Sojourn court advocate, who assisted victims of domestic violence. Bobb was just completing training in domestic violence and picked up the Sojourn duties during that time. More cuts that could affect domestic violence victims are now being proposed by the state.

Bobb emphasized that our citizens and community need this important service that not only helps victims navigate the legal system, but also brings much-needed comfort during trying times. She called on everyone to notify our legislators of this recognized need.

[By JAN YOUNGQUIST]

(See county board resolution.)