MONTICELLO – Acting Sullivan County District Attorney Meagan Galligan has hired a dedicated crime victim advocate.
Candice Ozolins, who holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Alfred University, comes to the DA’s office from her former position at Catholic Charities of Watkins Glen, where she worked as an advocate for sexually exploited children.
Galligan said the program will provide a number of services. “The victims’ advocate is going to serve victims all throughout Sullivan County of any kind of crime to bring them together with the services they need and to inform them about the criminal justice process,” she said.
In her new job, Ozolins will provide information and support directly to victims of crimes perpetrated in Sullivan County, including education about the criminal justice process and emotional support during that process as well as assistance in the preparation of legal statements and other applications.
The program will honor the memory of the late Janette Williams, who lost her son to gun violence in the Village of Monticello in 2009, and dedicated herself to giving voice to crime victims until her passing in January 2020.
The county has been without a dedicated crime victim services advocate since 2014 when budget cuts at the probation department resulted in the elimination of the advocate who worked there.
In 2019, Galligan worked with the county’s grants administration department to prepare an application to the state Office of Victim Services and secured three years of funding for the position.
Galligan said it is anticipated that the county’s crime victim advocacy program will expand to include volunteer services and will create a bridge to crime victims between the problems, fears, and confusion they face and the services available to address those needs and concerns.
“Our crime victim advocate is now entirely dedicated to providing the time and care necessary and appropriate to adequately address the needs of the victims of crime, particularly in this turbulent time of so-called criminal justice reform,” said Galligan. “The victims of crime should be the focus of our criminal justice system and the implementation of this Victim Advocacy Program underscores my commitment to seeking justice on behalf of every victim of crime in Sullivan County.”
“Too often in the current discourse of bail and discovery reform, the voices of victims are lost,” said Sheriff Michael Schiff. “It is refreshing to hear that in Sullivan County we have renewed our commitment to the victims of crime and I thank Acting DA Galligan for dedicating her time and effort to securing this new position.”
