Jenni Stolarski, Safe Families Office alum and DeKalb County Chief Assistant Solicitor-General, posted the following text on her Facebook page following the recent Amber Alert, and she was kind enough to let us share it with you. We hope you enjoy reading it as much as we did!
“A very happy outcome for the Amber Alert that went out last week. So proud of the work our office, the Doraville Police Department, and the Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation did in coming together on this case. This is what a coordinated community response to domestic violence looks like – where partners from the civil and criminal justice systems are working together. Special shout out to Steve Dimasi in our office who worked his mad investigative skills and just would not give up until this child was returned from Florida. And to Sherry Boston who prioritizes domestic violence cases, recruits and hires the best team of investigators around, and understands the power of collaboration.
Leaving an abusive relationship is complicated. And, it is often the most dangerous time for a victim and her children because the abuser may try to reassert control in increasingly violent and threatening ways.
That is why the support and services offered by agencies like AVLF, DeKalb Volunteer Lawyers Foundation, Partnership Against Domestic Violence, and the Women’s Resource to End Domestic Violence are so very crucial. When pro bono lawyers represent DV victims in court, it levels the playing field and helps victims get the civil justice that they need to live independently of their abusers. Kudos to Jamie Perez, Debbie Segal, Robin Taylor, and Elizabeth Finn Johnson for their work on this case in particular and to the army of volunteers in the metro Atlanta area who believe that enough is enough and stand with victims in courtrooms to advocate for justice. Thanks to Marty Ellin and Toni Roberts, who in leading their foundations, understand that access to justice requires safety in our homes.
One final thought: I spent some time with this beautiful child yesterday, rocking him to sleep. I could not help but think about the very hard week he has had and what the future holds for him. There is no such thing as other people’s children. We are in this together. #whyIdothiswork”