Jim Huffman on National Crime Victims' Rights Week

Jim and his family were victims of crime 20 years ago.  April 13 1995, Jim's wife, Mandy and 15-year old daughter Rita were brutally murdered.  A suspect, Jack Spillman, was arrested April 19, 1995.  Spillman was charged with a capitol crime, which meant the death penalty was a potential punishment.   

Spillman pled guilty April 30, 1996. Part of Jim’s healing process has been to work with family’s of crime victims. He is involved with CASA, works with area individuals who are victims of crime, and is an advisor to national victims' rights groups.  

Jim's Learnings

• There is no justice for victims and families (for society, perhaps)
• Closure is a myth, the event and the emotions will always be carried by the victim but at varying degrees
• Grieving and the criminal justice system are mutually exclusive
• The death penalty is dying.  It is difficult to obtain the drugs.  It is more costly than life incarceration.
• Only a fine line between victims and offenders. Powerlessness leads to anger then rage.  Offenders and victims alike experience this.  
• The rumor mill is faster than internet
• Get tough policies will not work
• Criminal justice system is disabling, not enabling for victims and survivors.
• Survivors must reinvent themselves
• Need to teach children tolerance and forgiveness

Jim provided statistics on crime.  Crime rates are down over last 20 years, but 10% of victims are kids.  Youth have significant exposure to violence in their lifetimes.  The most common form of child abuse is neglect; one person can make all the difference to a child who has experienced neglect.  This is why scholarship and mentoring programs of the Rotary are so important.

Jim encouraged us not to be afraid to talk with victims of crime.  It is isolating for the victim when friends and colleagues are afraid to have a conversation with the victim.   Thank you Jim for sharing this very moving story with us.  It will help us better understand and communicate with victims of crime and encourage us as we implement our mentoring and scholarship programs.