Publication

 October 2015

Beyond Innocence Toward a Framework for Serving All Survivors of Crime

Overview

Our media, our culture, and even some of our statutes continually reinforce the idea that in order to be deserving of care, a victim of crime has to be “innocent.” However, this idea excludes a wide range of people from services and limits the options and resources available to those who survive serious harm. In this series from Vera’s Current Thinking blog, you’ll hear from service providers who have experience working with survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence, young men of color harmed by street violence, LGBTQ survivors, survivors with disabilities, survivors engaged in sex work, survivors of human trafficking, and others. Together, these writers explore the limitations imposed by our existing framework of “innocence” and point to ways forward that better uphold the values of equity, public safety, and human dignity.

Authors
  • Kate D'Adamo -
    Kate D'Adamo
  • Amy Judy - Former Senior Program Associate
    Amy Judy
  • Kenton Kirby - Director of Trauma Support Services, Crown Heights Community Mediation Center
    Kenton Kirby
  • Catherine Shugrue dos Santos - Catherine is the director of client services for the Anti-Violence Project.
    Catherine Shugrue dos Santos