Chardon Square plays host to victim rights rally

Geauga County Sheriff’s Deputy Tracy Jordan said her hope is to educate the community about crime victims’ rights.

“My hope was to educate our community on victims’ rights and Marsy’s Law,” said Deputy Jordan. “Victims deserve to be treated fairly and respectfully.”

Marsy’s Law, the Ohio Crime Victims’ Bill of Rights, was overwhelmingly approved by voters in 2017 and affords victims certain rights including the right to be present and heard at all court proceedings, receive notice of release of the offender, and offer input on plea deals.

“Equal rights for victims are the central theme of Marsy’s Law,” said Deputy Jordan. “It only ensures that victims have the same rights as the accused, nothing more and nothing less.”

Additionally, Marsy’s Law provides that victims have the right to refuse discovery, the right to a prompt conclusion of their case and the right to restitution.

Marsy’s Law is named after Marsalee (Marsy) Ann Nicholas, a beautiful, vibrant University of California Santa Barbara student who was stalked and killed by her ex-boyfriend in 1983, according to marsyslawforoh.com.

Only one week after her murder and on the way home from the funeral service, Marsy’s family stopped at a market to pick up a loaf of bread and it was there in the checkout line that Marsy’s mother was confronted by her daughter’s murderer.

Having received no notification from the judicial system, the family had no idea he had been released on bail mere days after Marsy’s murder.

In addition to the Geauga County Sheriff’s Office, the rally was also attended by members from the Geauga County Prosecutor’s Office, WomenSafe, Cleveland Rape Crisis Center, Ravenwood Health, Geauga County Department of Developmental Disabilities and numerous law enforcement agencies.

Geauga County resident Mary Dolphin, whose ex-husband is now in jail for killing another woman, also shared her story of survival while fighting for her rights in three different courts for her child’s safety and wants to see more help for victims.

“Mary Dolphin’s story is one I hear daily,” said Deputy Jordan. “I want everyone to know her story and help victims not go thru this.”

Deputy Jordan began her career with the Geauga County Sheriff’s Office in 2003 and serves as the advocate for the Victim Services Program which provides services to anyone in need of resources and support, not just crime victims but victims of death and/or in crisis.

“I want to say the sheriff’soffice was the first one to have a victim advocate that started in 1998 or sooner,” she said.

In addition to being victim advocate, Mrs. Jordan also oversees the Geauga County LOSS Team, a special response team made up of professionally trained volunteers that respond to the scenes of tragic events.

“Myself and my team the LOSS (Local Outreach Supporting Survivors) will respond on scene with law enforcement, fire department, or the coroner’s office to provide immediate services,” she said. “We also provide court advocacy, hotline crisis calls, supportive listening, community training, and education.”

The deputy said she thinks there needs to be more awareness for victims’ rights and education for the public on where to turn to in times of crisis.

“Yes, when someone becomes a victim, they don’t know where to turn to or what services are available,” she said. “A lot of people do not even know what a victim advocate is or where to find one.”

The sheriff’s office works with all county agencies and the other departments will often refer crime victims to her office.

“I want everyone to know there is a lot of help and support available.”

She is a dedicated member of the sheriff’s office and the work she does is critical. Deputy Jordan grew up in Geauga County and still lives here with her fiancé. She has three daughters and nine grandchildren.

The county’s Victim Services Program offers advocacy and support to those affected by crime, natural disasters, and fire and is specifically geared towards victims, their families, witnesses and first responders as well as victims of physical, sexual and emotional abuse.

Deputy Jordan said her team hosts a grief support group that meets weekly free of charge.

“We found no such services in Geauga County,” she said. “Our program will serve anyone in need, no one is turned away.”

Any victim who needs support or advice can attend a drop-in support group that takes place every Wednesday at 2 p.m. at the Geauga County Sheriff’s Office at 12450 Merritt Road in Chardon.