LANSING - Daniel Anderson had good reason to attend the annual Crime Victims’ Rights Awareness Night at the Capitol on Wednesday evening - he survived a blast from a 22-gauge shotgun more than 15 years ago.
The Lansing resident, who spent two and a half months in intensive care as a result of his injury, was joined by wife Pat and son Brian to share his story and offer support to other survivors.
“We want to give back to the community and try to help victims of violent crime,” he said.
As Anderson shared hugs and smiles with other event-goers, he turned the group of seats around him into a community of support.
The care of the Lansing Police and the Ingham Regional Medical Center opened Anderson’s eyes to the needs and concerns of violent crime survivors.
“The event brings awareness to the public about the needs and concerns of victims and not so heavily on the rights to the perpetrator,” he said.
He joined in a candlelight vigil with dozens of survivors, family members and friends of those who have died as a result of violent crime. The speakers shared stories with audience members, who silently held green-yellow glow sticks as they listened. The vigil was held in conjunction with the national Crime Victims’ Rights Week.
State Sen. William Van Regenmorter, R-Georgetown Township, hosted the event that he said will bring awareness to the fact that one out of three Michigan residents will be victims of crimes in their lifetimes.
“For victims it is important to know that they have standing in the Michigan legal system,” he said.
Van Regenmorter sponsored the 1985 Crime Victims’ Rights Act and the 1988 amendment to protect victims’ rights to the state constitution. Both provide survivors the right to have a voice in the trial and sentencing of their perpetrator.
The Lansing Police Department’s Victims Advocate Unit was represented at the event.
“We come in contact with so many victims,” said Ruth McGoldrick, a victim advocate. “This is our way of showing support for the families.”
When an officer is dispatched to a violent crime, a victim advocate comes to the scene to counsel and support the victim and his or her family.
Lt. Gov. Dick Posthumus served as the keynote speaker for the ceremony and encouraged the audience to use the stories that were shared as teaching tools to prevent violence.
“Each of us has the duty to teach our children that all violence is wrong,” he said. “Through learning we can build a safer, stronger and kinder community.”
Homer Smith, executive director of Michigan Mothers Against Drunk Driving, who led the audience in a brief prayer, said MADD has been a longtime participant in the vigil.
Smith said events like the vigil will help in the healing process for those affected by violent crime.
“If we can have people see that crime touches real people it may make them want to become involved and provide care for the victims,” he said.
