NCJ Number
187639
Date Published
2002
Length
0 pages
Annotation
This videotape from the Office for Victims of Crime, Office of Justice Programs, United States Department of Justice discusses the work and life of Susan Laurence, a program specialist for the Office for Victims of Crime.
Abstract
Sponsored by the Office for Victims of Crime, Office of Justice Programs, United States Department of Justice, this seven and a half minute videotape discusses the work and life of Susan Laurence, a program specialist for the Office for Victims of Crime. Through a series of interviews with Susan Laurence’s family members, colleagues, and acquaintances, the viewer is introduced to Ms. Laurence’s juvenile and criminal justice career and desire to help “real people.” Maintaining the belief that people are often driven to commit terrible acts when they, themselves, are the victims of atrocities, Ms. Laurence started victim impact classes to enable offenders to understand how their crimes impacted the lives of their victims and their families. In one interview, a woman whose son was murdered describes the victim-offender mediations meetings orchestrated by Susan Laurence, arguing that she felt tremendously healed after talking with her son’s murderer. In another segment, a woman, whose son was killed by a drunk driver, talks to a group of female inmates convicted of drunk driving to share how his death changed her life. Throughout this videotape, several individuals state that Susan Laurence changed the way that people think of victims services and victim-offender mediation. By helping victims’ family members release their hate and anger through victim-offender meetings, and by educating inmates on the results of their crimes in order to prevent future criminal activity, several speakers argue that Susan Laurence helped the justice system maintain its highest principles, in the most hurtful situations.