Survivors Council issues recommendations to help crime victims

FRANKFORT, Ky. (WTVQ) – Survivors of violent crimes are giving their input on how the Commonwealth can help victims in the future.

The Office of the Attorney General’s Survivors Council issued a report Wednesday, outlining its recommendations.

Among the 57 recommendations from the council:

– Ensuring each state and local prosecutor’s office has a victim advocate
– Fully funding services for law enforcement
– Training for survivor advocates

The recommendations are being forwarded to Governor Matt Bevin, the Office of the Attorney General, the Kentucky General Assembly, youth-serving organizations, schools and universities, employers and the public.

The Attorney General’s Office of Victims Advocacy established the council in January 2017. The council is the first of its kind in any Attorney General’s office nationwide, and one of only two government hosted groups of survivor leaders in United States.

The inaugural members of the Survivors Council include survivors of different crimes from across the Commonwealth, including individuals who have survived the violent death of a family member, sexual assault, child sexual abuse, domestic violence, gun violence and other violent crimes.

Later this year, The Attorney General’s Office says the council plans to issue a comprehensive, trauma-informed guild to help crime victims navigate the criminal and legal system. The guide will help to fill a gap of information and support to crime victims across Kentucky.

For a look at the Survivors Council’s report, click here.