My story began by ending a long term relationship with my fiance’ whom I had been living with for 12 years. When the relationship ended I had to force him out of my house due to the environment that was created by us fighting with each other all the time. After I forced him out he would show up basically when he wanted to and I didn’t want him around, he would force his way in the back door or any door by breaking in. At the time he was on probation for assault and I phoned his probation officer and asked her if should would talk to him and ask him to move out and not come around anymore. She did talk with him and let him know what he was doing was a crime and that since he was on probation that he could possibly have his probation revolked. She was successful in getting him to move out and not come around anymore. But later on I noticed when I would come home from work that someone had been in the house and must have use a key. So I had to have all of my locks rekeyed that was the only was that I could feel safe again.
Editor’s note:
The Community Justice Center believes the key to unlocking the problems with our justice system is restoring control and voices to victims. A victim tends to get lost in the shuffle of police, lawyers, judges and court rooms. Their questions don’t get answered and their story becomes nothing but yesterday’s crime.
Offenders become nothing but criminals doing time on holiday. Most never take full responsibility for the damage they have done. They don’t get a chance to feel the victim’s pain and try to make amends, even if that is all they can do. The victim has the key to getting across to offenders. Offenders need to understand the extreme gravity of the harm they put upon the victim and the community.
A major part of the Community Justice Center (CJC) is elevating victims voices so they are heard all while restoring a clear sense of control back. Through CJC victims begin the healing process and offenders know true accountability while learning about the true harm they caused real individuals and communities because of their actions. Share your comments and impact stories.