The Northwest Louisiana Family Justice Center (NWLA FJC) will host the annual “People of Courage” Benefit Luncheon on Thursday, October 11, 2018, from 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., at Sam’s Town Hotel and Casino, 315 Clyde Fant Parkway, in Shreveport, Louisiana.
This event is being sponsored in conjunction with the District Attorneys for the Western District of Louisiana Family Justice Center Initiative, which includes nine northwest Louisiana parishes.
According to District Attorney J. Schuyler Marvin, last year’s “People of Courage” Benefit Luncheon was extremely successful. It was chaired by the Executive Committee’s Board Secretary, Mrs. Debbie Martin and Marvin said, “there were over 500 civic and community leaders who attended the luncheon”.
The keynote Speaker will be Mrs. Darlene Hutchinson, the Director of the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC), where she oversees its programs and services to help victims in the aftermath of crime and to provide continued support to them as they rebuild their lives. Appointed by President Donald Trump, she was officially sworn into office in August 2017. With more than 20 years of experience in victim advocacy, Ms. Hutchinson has had an active role passing legislation, advancing public policy, teaching at police academies, and working directly with victims and their families – following all types of crime.
Prior to joining OVC, Ms. Hutchinson honed her expertise as a victim advocate by volunteering for 10 years at rape crisis centers in Alabama and Texas and served for 7 years as president of a victims’ support and advocacy group in Central Alabama.
Simultaneously, Ms. Hutchinson worked in publishing, including 8 years as editor of law enforcement publications in Alabama, Washington, D.C., and Texas. She also spent nearly 6 years as the Communications and Media Director for the Dallas Bar Association.
Ms. Hutchinson played a key role in the development of Alabama’s innovative victim notification system, and was part of the small team responsible for the passage and ratification of Alabama’s Victims’ Constitutional Amendment in 1994–95. She has received numerous awards for her dedication to empowering survivors and protecting their rights while enhancing public safety.
It’s been a 30-year journey, as Ms. Hutchinson first became aware of the inadequacies of the justice system and the needs of crime victims after being kidnapped at gunpoint from a small-town post office when she was 20 years old. Blindfolded and tied, Ms. Hutchinson escaped on the second day and assisted in the apprehension and prosecution of the offender. Following a plea, he served 20 years in prison for kidnapping and rape.
Through her own experience, Ms. Hutchinson became inspired to help other survivors navigate the complex criminal justice system and rebuild their lives, while she’s also been a champion for victims’ rights. She has accompanied hundreds of survivors and families to parole hearings and/or trials, and the policies and laws she’s helped put in place will benefit thousands for years to come.
A native of St. Petersburg, Fla., Ms. Hutchinson holds a B.S. in Journalism from Troy State University in Troy, Ala.
For additional information, please contact Mrs. Jeri Bowen, Executive Director of the NWLA Family Justice Center at (318) 505-7139, Mr. Derrick Henderson, Assistant Director at (318) 505-7139 or Mrs. Debbie Martin, NWLA FJC’s Executive Committee Secretary at (318) 221-8601.
This event is be held in conjunction with Domestic Awareness Month highlighting services and programs available to victims of domestic violence.
