April 6th-12th is National Crime Victims Rights Week, and an educational institution in Perry points out methods to help those individuals.

Des Moines Area Community College VanKirk Career Academy’s Director Eddie Diaz outlines that they opened the facility’s  doors to area partners to teach students about the importance of the week. DMACC Sociology and Criminal Instructor Dr. Rebecca Tuxhorn reveals that four organizations joined them to spread the word about the support systems in Dallas County. She says the week symbolizes giving victims a voice within the criminal justice process. 

“The important part that we are trying to spread awareness of is if someone says they’ve been victimized by a crime, it’s important to believe them, and to support them through that process because it’s traumatic enough to be victimized by a crime, but then a lot of time, revictimization happens after the fact when that person that’s been victimized tries to reach out and get support from the community. And not just for the victim themselves, but family and friends and others that are in their circle.”

Tuxhorn notes that each victim’s path to healing is different and stresses that it’s crucial not to judge a person for however much time they need. She lists several available resources in Dallas County including the Dallas County Health Department, the Veterans Administration, the Crisis Intervention and Advocacy Center, and the Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence.