August 06, 2018

Fighting for Fairness, Dignity and Respect

Click to read about NCVLI’s most recent advocacy work in Arizona.

The term “victim” is a legal term of art.  All too often, however, victims are forced to endure hearing themselves called “alleged victims.”  This happened recently in Arizona when an Arizona trial court denied a sexual assault victim’s motion to bar the defendant from referring to her as the “alleged victim.”  Despite the victim’s argument that the term “alleged victim” is an improper attempt to suggest she is not credible and violates her state constitutional right to be treated with fairness, dignity and respect, the Arizona Court of Appeals affirmed the trial court’s decision.  Now NCVLI is fighting alongside the victim’s attorney seeking further review.  We will keep you posted!