Jennifer Schorn: National Crime Victims’ Rights Week a time for awareness

It is truly an honor to serve as the Bucks County District Attorney, where we are committed to protecting all people by aggressively and successfully prosecuting criminal activity in Bucks County while engaging in community-based crime prevention programs.

When I became an attorney over 25 years ago, I always knew I wanted to work to protect children. As District Attorney, my priority and goal will always be to protect the most vulnerable among us and make sure the community is safe.

Every month, I hope to bring you some of the inner workings from the Bucks County district attorney’s office, where I am privileged to lead a staff of more than 100 dedicated employees that include 40 prosecutors, 27 detectives and a support staff, who I consider the engine that keeps us running smoothly. 

Last month, we recognized National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, a week dedicated to raising awareness about victimization and the effect it has on individuals, families, friends, and the community. This year’s theme of kinship is a call to action to recognize that shared humanity should be at the center of supporting all survivors and victims of crime. 

In Bucks County, our office works with several organizations every day to assist and validate victims as they navigate the criminal justice system. Together, these community partners strive to uphold victims’ rights, advocate for victims’ needs, and support victims as they process their trauma. 

This partnership is comprised of our office’s Victim/Witness Unit, the Victim/Witness Specialist Unit for Bucks County Juvenile Probation, NOVA, a Woman’s Place, and the Victim Services Unit for the Central Bucks Regional, Plumstead Township, Buckingham Township, and the Doylestown Township Police Departments.

Together, this team has helped countless victims and their families going through one of the darkest times in their lives.  

In keeping with the theme of helping victims of crime, last month I was excited to be a part of the county’s recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month where I highlighted the impact of the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC) in helping to protect children. 

ICAC was created to help federal, state and local law enforcement agencies enhance their investigative responses to offenders who use the Internet, online communication systems, or computer technology to sexually exploit children. 

We are fortunate to have 100 percent commitment in the ICAC program from our biggest police departments in Bucks County, working with our county detectives. Their objective is to conduct investigations, conduct forensic analysis and prosecute offenders who sexually exploit children using the Internet and electronic devices. 

We have seen great success with this program, leading to several arrests and prosecutions, including the recent arrest of a 60-year-old predator who posed as a teenager to lure several young girls into sending him sexually explicit videos, which he then shared on other online platforms. 

Over the years, we have charged and prosecuted offenders with similar crimes. Sadly, the trauma was too much for one victim that she took her own life.  

This is why our commitment to protecting the public is unwavering. The pursuit of justice, for the victims of crime and for the safety of our community, is at the heart of our work in the District Attorney’s Office.

Jennifer Schorn is Bucks County’s district attorney.