Forgotten Victims of Crime, Inc. offers a support system to the family and loved ones of those convicted. The company was created by Sherrie Stone, daughter of Alabama death row inmate, Thomas Arthur.
The struggles that the family and loved ones of the convicted face are very unique and difficult. There are no help lines to call or any pamphlets to get from the state or government explaining what to expect. There are very few organizations to this day that assist or offer support to the families of the convicted. In many cases, the children of the convicted are just passed from one family to the next and rejected by all. Forcing them to either be placed in an orphanage or to grow up on the streets. Spouses and children are left without any support. Mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, and friends are suddenly faced with the legal system and all the complications without any direction or knowledge of what to expect. There are many financial and psychological issues that these families face with no state or government assistance. They are not recognized as victims of the crime.
The manner in which these families are treated is unacceptable. There are two sets of victims when a crime is committed. The family and loved ones of the victim and the family and loved ones of the convicted. The family and loved ones of the victim are given rights, such as, financial assistance, psychological counseling, legal assistance and support systems. The family and loved ones of the convicted are given NO assistance at all. They should have support systems in place to deal with their loss. These are the silent and forgotten victims. They are rejected by the community, the legal process, sometimes even treated as if they committed the crime. In many cases, they are rejected by their own families and their friends.
I will work very hard to change this. I make you this promise to make our government and society recognize us and provide us with rights and treat us with dignity.
The site is now available and under construction, but is up and running. You can access it @ www.ForgottenVictimsofCrime.org