Victims rights advocates receive awards

BOSTON (WWLP) - The state's office for Victim Assistance held an awards ceremony on Monday, honoring advocates who have made significant contributions to advancing victims' rights and services.

The Bay State's victim assistance services include shelters for domestic violence victims, training for direct service providers, victim compensation, legal assistance, and more.

The attorney general explained the importance of victims' rights services, which have been available as a statewide effort since the 1984 enactment of the Victims Bill of Rights.

"We remain focused on the barriers and the challenges that crime victims are impacted by, and continue to work together to ensure that everyone impacted by crime in the commonwealth has access to support," said Attorney General Andrea Campbell.

Representative Kate Hogan received the legislator of the year award for her work in passing a bill preventing sexual abuse by fraud of medical providers in 2024.

 "We're all grateful to the many brave survivors, from the athletes in the headlines, to hopeful parents and very vulnerable patients," said Hogan.

Before this law was passed, medical providers could claim that inappropriate actions were part of legitimate treatment plans, leaving victims without a path forward in the courts.

Other awardees included a doctor, a detective, and several advocates, all of whom work to support victims of crimes in Massachusetts.