Community Corner

West Depford Woman Among Three to be Recognized in Fight for Victims' Rights

Barbara Carter, of West Deptford, and Linda Burkett, of Cherry Hill, will each receive the Endurance Award.

A West Deptford woman is among three South Jersey women who will receive the first-ever Office of Attorney General Excellence Awards for Victims’ Justice at a statewide program celebrating Crime Victims’ Rights Week, Acting Attorney General John J. Hoffman announced on Monday.

Barbara Carter, of West Deptford, and Linda Burkett, of Cherry Hill, will each receive the Endurance Award, which honors Victim-Witness Office Coordinators and staff who consistently set the standards for excellence in going above and beyond to assist the victim and the prosecuting team.

Gloucester County Prosecutor Sean Dalton nominated Carter.

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“When Victim/Witness Units were established in all counties in New Jersey in 1985, Gloucester County’s consisted of Barb and a clerical assistant.  Under her guidance, the staff grew to eight, with advocates specializing in: sexual assault and child abuse; juvenile court; domestic violence in family and municipal courts; and homicide,” Dalton wrote in nominating Carter. “She has helped several victims relocate their homes away from dangerous crime scenes. She arranges for Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets and children’s gifts for several families each year, and gives food vouchers for those severely disadvantaged.” 

Carter is a victim advocate in the Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office.

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Kathy Friess, of Gloucester Township, will receive the Crime Victims’ Rights Award. The award honors the dedicated advocate(s) and/or agency that have engaged in extraordinary efforts to assist trafficking victims and to educate the public in this modern day slavery. 

Burkett, Carter and Friess will join two men from northern New Jersey in being honored at the Crime Victims’ Rights Week event on Wednesday morning at 10:30 a.m. at the Hughes Justice Complex in Trenton. 

The program is held annually to reaffirm New Jersey’s commitment to enforce victims’ rights and address their needs.  The event is co-sponsored by the New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice, the Victims of Crime Compensation Office and the State Office of Victim-Witness Advocacy.

“This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Victims of Crime Act, which changed the landscape of victim rights and services nationwide,” Hoffman said.  “Through their relentless efforts, the women being honored at this week’s ceremony change the landscape every day within their own communities and throughout New Jersey.”

"These deserving award winners simply do it all: from providing a helping hand at all hours of the day or night, to making sure children have something to open on Christmas, to spreading the word about the dangers of child exploitation and human trafficking," Division of Criminal Justice Director Elie Honig said. "All of today's winners stand as pillars of strength for countless crime victims."



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