Robin Taylor | 2021 National Crime Victims' Service Awards Tribute Video

ROBIN TAYLOR: I work in the detective bureau, and I primarily respond to domestic violence, stalking, protection order violations, and sexual assault investigations.

In 2019, I assisted with, and responded to, at least 367 calls for service. I engage with the victims throughout their case, and I let them know that I'm with them through this whole process. 

Last year, a man assaulted his wife. He started hitting her, and then he threw her into walls. He cut her clothing off. He attempted to strangle her. She thought she was going to die, and she made that very clear. 

We made sure she was aware that she was a survivor and that we were going to work with her to make sure she was going to be okay at the other end of this. My victim advocate and I were able to keep her engaged and active in the prosecution of this case. 

She needed a lot of services. We assisted her with obtaining a residence to live in, and she still maintains contact with us. 

A lot of the women that I work with, there's a war going on in their homes. 

She needs some services and she needs housing. 

If I have a victim and they want to leave, WomenSafe will come pick them up and take them to the shelter for aftercare and for housing. And I don't know what I would do without them. 

Over the years I, I developed a relationship with the Amish community. A lot of Amish youth, they have cellphones. I talk to them about being safe online. We do have sexual assault cases that involve parties, and some of the victims in these cases, they're either not believed, they're blamed. They are not encouraged to speak to law enforcement. 

We are the first person a victim of a crime encounters. It's important for us to develop that rapport with the victims. You start by believing them and letting them know that you take their crime seriously and that you are going to see it through to the end.