Nov. 2021 | Vol. 01 Iss. 09
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Bountiful/West Bountiful
YOUR C O M M U N I T Y N E WS PA P E R
BOUNTIFUL’S VICTIM ADVOCATE ‘AN ASSET TO COMMUNITY’
Byline
By Tom Haraldsen | tom.h@davisjournal.com
BOUNTIFUL--There are probably few things more intimidating to most of us than going into a courtroom – whether it be for jury duty or, as is sometimes necessary, an actual hearing. Fear of the unknown, lack of familiarity with judicial procedures, or simply not knowing how to tell your story are all reasons victims can feel a hesitancy to take an issue or problem in front of a judge. In the mid-70s, communities around the country began instituting victim advocate programs for their residents. It has grown exponentially in Utah, and Bountiful started its own victim advocate program in 2017 when the city was awarded a Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) grant to help fund a position. Ashley Stewart has served as the Bountiful City Victim Advocate since 2018. She works and coordinates with Yvette Donosso, Bountiful’s Assistant City Attorney, as they deal with their weekly load of cases. “My role is to try to help victims through the court process and help them to understand what’s go-
ing on as well as find their voice,” she said. “I want to make sure they have a say in what is happening with the case that involves them, and I give Yvette the background she needs about the victim and their point of view, their desires and hopes of what might happen, along with any information that might be helpful as Yvette is looking at the case moving forward.” There are some misconceptions that victims have when they start a court procedure. Stewart said a lot of victims “have the idea that whoever has offended them will go to prison for life. I explain to them what the realities are as far as outcomes in a case. I don’t want them to get to court and get blindsided, so I explain ahead of time what they are getting into and what they can expect.” She said those she serves often have good ideas for restitutions or recommendations. “If the victim thinks substance Continued page 5
Bountiful Assistant City Attorney Yvette Donosso, left, confers with Ashley Stewart, the city’s Victim Advocate. Photo by Tom Haraldsen
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