Butler County residents will cast their votes Tuesday on a ballot initiative that is aimed at protecting and expanding the rights of crime victims.

The measure, known as Marsy's Law, provides crime victims with 15 constitutional rights, including a right to be notified about the release of a defendant and allowing victims to provide information for consideration before an offender's parole.

While the initiative has defenders and detractors in the county, the Butler Eagle does not typically endorse or weigh in on ballot issues.

So, rather than render a verdict on Marsy's Law, we would like to draw attention to an organization that has long provided free services to crime victims in the county: Victim Outreach Intervention Center, also known as VOICe.

Founded in 1978 as the Volunteers Against Abuse Center, the center's services include supportive housing, counseling, medical and legal advocacy, civil legal representation, prevention and education programs and emergency shelter.

“We are the only provider in Butler County for this type of service,” said Linda Strachan, VOICe's executive director. “VOICe provides free and confidential services for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault and their significant others.”

Strachan said VOICe employs 37 people between its Butler corporate office and Cranberry outreach center. It provided services in the past fiscal year to 3,741 adults and 682 children. Its hot line (1-800-400-8551) is manned 24/7.

According to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, one in five women and one in 71 men are sexually assaulted during their lifetimes. More than 10 million American men and women are physically abused by an intimate partner every year, the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence reports.

Such statistics drive home the point that having an institution such as VOICe is vital to Butler County. Strachan said the community has been highly supportive of VOICe's work for survivors, and residents have shown appreciation by donating everything from clothes to toys.

She said one of the most gratifying parts of her job is witnessing the process of a survivor getting back on his or her feet.

“The most rewarding time is when you can see a case from start to finish — if we are able to bring someone into our emergency shelter (who has) nothing, which is often the case, and we can house them, feed and clothe them and get them started on personal housing as well as helping them with job opportunities, child care or getting them their medical card,” she said.

VOICe deserves a significant amount of credit for the work its employees and volunteers do.

While Marsy's Law will be decided by voters next week, Butler County is fortunate to already have an organization that does so much for people in need in our community.