Lexington Police victims’ advocates outline notifications under Marcy’s Law and support programs for homicide survivors

Lexington Police Department victim-advocacy staff described their work helping survivors of violent crime, explaining how Marcy’s Law notifications operate and outlining community referral networks and support programs.

Advocates Leticia Hagerman and Cornetta Harris said the unit proactively reaches out to survivors of intimate-partner or violent crimes to explain next steps, rights and services. “Marcy’s Law made victims’ rights in Kentucky a constitutional law,” an advocate said on the record, noting victims’ rights to timely notification of court proceedings, registration with Vine (a custody-notification system) and the opportunity to attend court.

The segment explained that advocates can register victims for notifications, help explain prosecution timelines and connect families with partners including the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office, Bluegrass Care Navigators, domestic-violence coalitions and community groups that provide counseling, emergency supports and court accompaniment.

Separately, advocates Robin Anderson and Marisol Contreras described the Surviving Onward Sessions (SOS) program: a monthly meeting for families and friends who have lost someone to homicide. The program provides fellowship, a rotating guest speaker from community agencies and information about support services. Contreras noted the unit’s bilingual advocacy role and said outreach in Spanish helps overcome language barriers to reporting and follow-up.

Why it matters: victims’ advocates provide notifications, referrals and practical follow-up for survivors and bereaved family members seeking services and information; these functions are central to coordinated victim services and to statutory rights under Marcy’s Law.

Ending: advocates gave a phone number for assistance and said they will continue outreach, noting victims and families sometimes need only someone to listen as well as referrals to services.