Oakland County Prosecutor, CARE House Recognize National Crime Victims’ Rights Week

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 2025

Oakland County Prosecutor, CARE House of Oakland County Recognize National Crime Victims’ Rights Week

Roughly 200 attended event to honor crime victims and raise awareness for victims’ rights

PONTIAC, Mich. – Roughly 200 community members, including local law enforcement, crime victims, and local officials, attended a National Crime Victims’ Rights Week event Wednesday at Oakland County’s Executive Conference Center. The event, focusing on the theme of Kinship, Healing, and Connection, was hosted by the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office and CARE House of Oakland County.

Emily Kosal, a Victim’s Advocate in the Prosecutor’s Office, spoke about her journey from a crime victim, after the murder of her father Duraid Lossia, to a victim advocate, assisting others through the criminal justice system.

“I found kinship and learned from other survivors,” said Kosal. “I found connection by still having contact with my Victim Advocate Nicole Kennedy and Assistant Prosecutor Rob Novy. They made the process as smooth and easy as she possibly could and continued to keep me in the loop about possible Victim Advocate job openings. I found healing at the police department learning just how much work was put into a complicated and extensive investigation.”

CARE House of Oakland County CEO Blythe Tyler discussed the work CARE House does supporting child victims, including conducting forensic interviews of child sexual abuse survivors in a comforting and safe space, while also advocating for prevention.

“Our core belief is it shouldn’t hurt to be a child. We spend a lot of time helping kids and families who are victims of these crimes,” said Tyler. “However, we do a lot of work on prevention as well. So, what we’d love to do is be able to put ourselves out of a job.”

Prosecutor Karen McDonald spoke about her efforts as an assistant prosecutor, judge, and now Oakland County Prosecutor to ensure victims of crimes are heard and supported within the criminal justice system.

“I do this job because it’s the only way I know to reconcile what is happening to people in our community. We can’t take away their pain, but at least I’m doing what I can to advocate for victims and survivors who are not in a position to stand up and fight for themselves,” said Prosecutor McDonald. “We still have more to do, but it’s because you’re all in the room that we can move forward and get better at prioritizing victims.”

The event closed out with an invitation to any crime victims to share their stories. Among those who took the opportunity to speak was State Rep. Brenda Carter of Pontiac. After sharing how her own family has been tragically affected by gun violence and the impact violent crime has had on her constituents.

“I live in a community that is absolutely plagued with violence and that’s Pontiac,” said Rep. Carter. “No child should be subjected to gun violence. No child should be subjected to trauma.”

National Crime Victims’ Rights Week was established in 1981 as a national recognition of victims’ rights and services.