Athens tends to be a very safe town, with low crime. That’s not to suggest you shouldn’t be vigilant against becoming a victim, whether on campus, in your university rentals Athens Ohio, or traveling between the campus and your housing.
But if you or someone you know has been a victim of crime, you may want to familiarize yourself with Marsy’s Law, which was passed in Ohio in 2017, and took effect in February 2018. The law was named after Marsy Nicholas, a California college student who was killed by her ex-boyfriend. The boyfriend was arrested and subsequently released on bail, after which he went on to harass the dead woman’s family. In response, Marsy’s family created the organization Marsy’s Law for All, resulting in the adoption by states throughout the nation of constitutional amendments designed to protect victims’ rights.
Know Your Rights
Ohio University’s Survivor Advocacy Program and the Ohio Crime Victim Justice Center are partnering to provide an in-depth training on victims’ rights in our state. Attendees can learn about victims’ rights in all stages of the criminal justice process, from hospital, through investigation, prosecution and post-conviction.
In particular, the training will focus on the new rights provided by Marsy’s Law.
If you’re a law or criminal justice student, of if you, your family or friends have ever been victims of crime, this training may be helpful to you. It’s set for Friday, Aug. 9 at Baker University Center