BY COLLEEN JANSSEN: Remember this phone number: 844-853-HOPE, and website: www.CrimeSurvivors.org.
Someday, someone you know may need this number and the people at the other end of the line will be there to help anywhere in Orange County and throughout Southern California.
The number did not exist almost 15 years ago when Patricia Wenskunas was attacked and almost killed by her personal trainer.
BY COLLEEN JANSSEN: Remember this phone number: 844-853-HOPE, and website: www.CrimeSurvivors.org.
Someday, someone you know may need this number and the people at the other end of the line will be there to help anywhere in Orange County and throughout Southern California.
The number did not exist almost 15 years ago when Patricia Wenskunas was attacked and almost killed by her personal trainer.
“My trainer drugged me, wrapped my head in Saran Wrap, and proceeded to kick and punch me,” said Wenskunas. “He tried to kill me. Somehow, even drugged, I was able to get away, jumping 12 feet down from an indoor balcony and escaping.”
The police caught him and charged him with multiple crimes including attempted murder. The trial judge sentenced him to 120 days.
At the time of the crime, Wenskunas, a self-described “mouse,” was shocked at the sentence. The mouse was no more. She set about to get justice, suing in civil court and achieving a judgment against the perpetrator, then succeeding in getting the judge removed from the bench.
She focused her efforts since that time on founding and running Crime Survivors, Inc., an organization that helps people who have survived crimes.
“We need to balance the scales of justice,” said Wenskunas. “Criminals have more rights than their victims. Marsy’s Law was the first legislation for victims.”
Marsy’s Law is the Victims’ Bill of Rights Act of 2008. It is an amendment to the State’s Constitution and certain Penal Code sections. The law is named for Marsy Nicholas, a senior at UC Santa Barbara who was stalked and murdered by her ex-boyfriend.
“Our movement is in crisis. We need awareness, prevention, hopeful healing and survival,” said Wenskunas. “Criminals get full medical care, yoga mats, job training, and education. Victims get nothing.”
“Propositions 47 and 57 are both offender-based and rehab,” added Wenskunas. “What about victims and survivors, law enforcement, public safety and families?”
She and Crime Survivors want to be the voice for victims. They receive no government funding, and survive on fundraisers and donations.
“We help people who have been raped, almost murdered, victims of domestic violence, human trafficking, sexual assault, elder abuse and more.”
“Victims need hotel stays, job education, food, clothing, furniture, household items, airline tickets to relocate, and hope. They need to regain a sense of control,” said Wenskunas.
“We give emergency bags to law enforcement to give to victims. Over 7,500 have been distributed.”
The organization helps with whatever a survivor needs to restart his or her life, including household items, Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas events, movie passes and more.
The organization helps survivors find resources such as eight refrigerators that were provided by Southern California Edison. Any individual or group that wants to help is welcomed.
“In my tenure as a police officer,” said Commander Cameron Knauerhaze with the Westminster Police Department, “I found this to be a strong grass-roots organization with passion to help victims to survive and thrive and felt the benefits align with the community… We use the emergency bags at Westminster Police Department. We reach out to Patricia when we have a situation that needs her skill set. May non-profits focus on only one special area such as domestic violence or child abuse. Crime Survivors is all-encompassing.”
“They have a no man left behind mentality,” Knauerhaze added. “No one victim is more important than another. When there is a crime, an officer can see it through to where the victim makes it to recovery. We provide a Victims’ Bill of Rights Marsy’s Law card and call Patricia when needed. She is someone victims can talk to and trust through the court system. She is an active listener. I have seen some horrific cases over 20 years that have affected me personally. It changed the way I do policing. I get a personal connection and want to do more; become a partner in their recovery.”
“We have helped families in Orange County and all of Southern California,” said Wenskunas. “There was a case in Westminster where the kids were sexually abused and were taken away from both parents. The children needed our help.”
The Westminster Police Department now has what they call a “soft room” with sofa and chairs, stuffed animals, blankets and other items to make the interview process less intimidating for victims.
Those wishing to help this organization may participate in their annual major fundraiser, a Survive & Thrive 5K Run/Walk with Health and Safety Expo. The event features more than 100 vendors, along with police agencies and more at Mason Park in Irvine. Details are on the Crime Survivors website.
Wenskunas always has a need for items to give to crime victims, many of whom escape with only the clothes they are wearing. They are traumatized and need help getting back to a sense of normalcy.
A list of items needed for the emergency bags is on their website. Some examples include: stuffed animals, small blanket, deck of cards, shampoo, conditioner, lip balm, toothpaste/brush, coloring books and crayons, small flashlight and lotion.
Volunteers are always needed to help assemble the emergency bags and assist with the 5K Run/Walk. The volunteer board of directors and advisors is an impressive group of community leaders and law enforcement, and more help is always appreciated.
