Intern Spotlight: Pauliina Heikkonen

Pauliina visited from Finland to intern with NCVLi in the Winter of 2016 and will be beginning law school later this year.  She told us a little about her experience as an intern at NCVLI.

What did you know about victims’ rights before working at NCVLI?

I did not know much about victims´ rights especially US victims rights before I came to NCVLI. I had only heard the word “Victims´rights” a few times before working for NCVLI. But during my volunteer career in NCVLI I have been well introduced to victims´rights.

What have you learned while working at NCVLI?

I have learned what victims´rights are and I have understood how important it is that there are volunteers, lawyers and interns who help victims of crimes. I have learned a lot about US jurisdictional system and I have also realized the injustice in US and other countries legal procedures when it comes to victims´rights.

What did you do while working at NCVLI?

I´m working for the NCVLI as a volunteer and it´s been a truly interesting and educational experience. I worked on Digest and I was responsible for international articles and new legislation. I also worked on Resource Map updates and found several similar organizations as NCVLI around the world. My most challenging and also most interesting task is to compare International Criminal Court´s victims´rights and Kenya´s new victim legislations similarities and differences.

How has working at NCVLI impacted you?

Working for NCVLI has impacted me in several ways. I have truly become interested about victims´ rights, and I actually contacted a nonprofit victims´rights organization in Finland and I will be working there as a volunteer in future.

What did you like most about working at NCVLI?

I loved the working atmosphere at NCVLI. Everybody helped each other and were passionate about their job, it was amazing to experience that. I loved the fact that we are truly helping victims in NCVLI and trying to make their life as easy as possible after the crime.