NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
SOUTH HUTCHINSON, Kan. — An event is going on later this week to commemorate National Crime Victims' Rights Week in Reno County.
"It's going to be Thursday, April 27 at 6:30 p.m. at the South Hutchinson Community Center," said Reno County District Attorney Tom Stanton. "It's a community candle lighting ceremony."
It's an opportunity to remember those who have been victims of crime. Stanton is used to having those difficult conversations with victims in the near time aftermath of these incidents, when they may not have had time to process their emotions about the events.
"We're talking to them about what we think justice is going to be and how that will look," Stanton said. "We talk to them about how the system works and how long, sometimes, it takes to get a case through the system, what they can expect. We offer them the support that we can give them and that our office can give them through our Victim-Witness Coordinator."
Stanton and the Victim-Witness Coordinator, Jody Bryant, will both speak at the Thursday event, along with LaTonya Ross, HRMC Forensic Advocate from their SANE department. Nikki Burghart with BrightHouse will assist in the lighting of candles and Deputy Reno County District Attorney Andrew Davidson will close the event.
"The event itself is supported by our office, BrightHouse, Horizon Mental Health Center's Child Advocacy Center and the Hutchinson Regional Medical Center SANE/SART Team," Stanton said. "All those organizations are part of what we do on a daily basis and then they support this particular event, as well."
Stanton received a proclamation from the Board of Reno County Commissioners for National Crime Victims' Rights Week at their meeting on Tuesday.
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