Each year, the Colorado Organization for Victim Assistance (COVA) leads Denver’s annual observances of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, which marked its 40th anniversary this April. This year’s theme, “Support Victims. Build Trust. Engage Communities.” was designed to emphasize the importance of leveraging community support to help victims of crime.
l-r: DA Beth McCann, Maribel Salazar & Deputy DA
During this year’s observance, COVA recognized our Victim Advocate, Maribel Salazar with the 2020 Outstanding Victim Advocate Award within the Public Sector. Maribel is the consummate embodiment of a victim advocate.
According to Maribel, the victim advocate is the backstage manager, the one to put all the pieces in place and help the victim navigate the complicated trial process. Maribel often becomes close to the victims and their families and stays connected. She says that a victim’s gratitude is a sense of pride for her passion in helping others.