The Cost of Ignoring Victims’ Voices

During a recent hearing on violent crime, I spoke as both a survivor of homicide—having lost my loved one decades ago—and as an advocate working tirelessly for victims’ rights. My message was clear: this is not about politics; it’s about life and death.

In April 2023, I testified before the same House Judiciary Committee in New York, highlighting the devastating effects of progressive policies enacted by a district attorney funded by George Soros and lenient “soft-on-crime” laws. The pain of families affected by violent crime remains raw and real.

Despite the deep pain, officials often dismiss victims’ stories, mispronouncing their names and offering superficial sympathy while downplaying the horrors they’ve endured. Such behavior is not only dishonest—it’s cruel and gaslights grieving families.

Sadly, this pattern repeats across countless cities and states. Democratic responses tend to be empty platitudes, wrapped in excuses. Many leaders push ineffective programs—funding nonprofits that serve as political slush funds or endorsing “violence interrupters,” who are often street gangs controlling territory and manipulating crime statistics.

This isn’t reform; it’s corruption hiding behind a façade of compassion. Meanwhile, families continue to mourn their loved ones. The truth remains: crime has not declined. A dismissed case or a summons instead of an arrest doesn’t undo the tragedy or bring back the fallen.

Manipulating crime data to fit ideology doesn’t erase the dignity of the dead. Logan Federico, Mary Collins, Iryna Zarutska—these lives matter. Families bring their heartbreak into hearing rooms, only to be dismissed with cold indifference.

As long as lawmakers ignore victims’ pain and pretend homicide is just a statistic, they bear responsibility for ongoing bloodshed. We demand honesty, accountability, and meaningful change—because behind every number is a name, and behind every name, a family crying out for justice.

Leaders should acknowledge failure and commit to a different course. Silence and denial only deepen the pain of those left behind.

Jennifer Harrison is executive director of the Victims’ Rights Reform Council and founder of Victims Rights NY.