It’s traumatizing enough to be the victim of a crime.

It can be doubly so when you have to navigate the often confusing criminal justice system on your own.

Alpena County has invested to make sure that doesn’t happen, now offering even more services to victims, according to a recent story by News staff writer Temi Fadayomi.

The victims unit of the Alpena County Prosecutor’s Office offers victim help with whatever they need.

“We’re like a guide,” Victim Assistance Coordinator Julie Jackson told Fadayomi. “We make sure that they have the resources they need. If they need to be in contact with the (domestic violence) shelter, we can send in a referral for that. If they need counseling, compensation, things like that, we’re here to make sure that they get it. If they have victim impact statements and they want their voice to be heard for the judge during the case, or after the case, we are here to make sure that happens for them. If they want help writing it, we can help do that.”

In addition to all of those services, Julie Jackson and part-time county Victim Advocate Sasha Jackson have now completed the certification process to become application assistance workers for the Michigan Address Confidentiality Program, which protects victims of stalking, domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking by concealing victims’ addresses in public records.

Essentially, the new program works like this: Victims of certain crimes can apply for a new designated address that can be used instead of their real address on paperwork for governmental entities, employers, or schools. That way, those who hurt the victim can’t find out where they live through public records and then go hurt them again.

Julie Jackson and Sasha Jackson now are certified to help victims apply for that program.

We’re grateful to the county for investing in helping victims, and we say thanks to Julie Jackson and Sasha Jackson and everyone involved in that unit.

(THE ALPENA NEWS)