National Crime Victims Rights Week concluded with a gathering in Chandler, where domestic violence survivors advocated for change. Vanessa Martinez, a survivor of a gunshot injury in 2021, is collaborating with the Arizona chapter of Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice to assist fellow survivors and advocate for systemic reform, as reported by FOX10 Phoenix.
According to 12News, survivor Rachel Cardona Barnett discussed turning personal experiences into advocacy for change. She found purpose through Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice's initiatives and emphasized the importance of the crime victim compensation program, which provides financial aid to those who have suffered monetary loss due to a crime, though many are unaware of it.
A healing vigil hosted by Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice in Chandler focused on the need for public safety reforms. The event featured survivors advocating for change. "I always say those who are most affected are often the most effective in making some of these changes, and not just changes but meaningful changes," said Celina Meadows, statewide manager of Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice, in an interview with FOX10 Phoenix.
Vanessa Martinez, a survivor and advocate, said, "I love it. It has been a huge part of my recovery. I get, you know, the reaction of 'aren't you traumatized? Isn't it retraumatizing?' But what you have to realize, you sometimes have to relive the trauma in order to heal, and that's exactly what I do, every day," as mentioned by FOX10 Phoenix. She encourages individuals facing domestic violence to reach out to an advocate for support. The National Domestic Violence Hotline can be reached at 1-800-799-7233, and in emergencies, individuals should call 911.
