Community gathers to raise awareness for crime victims’ rights
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- A survivor shared her story at the Crime Victims’ Rights Week Breakfast on Friday, offering hope and strength to those affected by violence.
Officials and community members gathered at Missouri Western State University for the annual Crime Victims’ Breakfast, hosted by the Buchanan County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, to support local victims of crime and honor the stories of those who did not survive.
Brandi Dredge, the speaker at this year's breakfast, shared how, with the help of law enforcement, she came to understand that she was a victim of a sex crime.
At the age of 16, the reality of her marriage finally became clear to her after a sergeant revealed she was the victim of one of her husband’s crimes — statutory rape — and her son’s DNA was the evidence the prosecution needed to convict him.
Dredge stood in front of dozens to share how crime can impact a person and her gratefulness for those who fought for her.
“I never dreamed I would share a room with the people who make such a difference in our community,” Dredge said. “At the time, I couldn't see so many things. But now, with hindsight, I can see all the ways they fought for me and they helped get justice for not just myself but the other survivors.”
The ceremony played a contributing slideshow honoring victims of crimes who didn’t survive and awarded a detective with the Buchanan County Crime Victim Service Award.
Detective Stefen Hernandez-Gross with the St. Joseph Police Department's detective division was awarded the Buchanan County Crime Victim Service award.
After many years working as a dispatcher, Hernandez-Gross, a LGBTQ+ liaison for the police department, began working with the Family Crimes Division in 2023, investigating countless child sex cases and building connections with the victims.
“It means a lot going through all the work to help these victims,” Hernandez-Gross said. “Reaching out to witnesses, getting evidence, all the stuff it takes to build a case and submit it to the prosecutor to get these victims the justice that they deserve and need, that itself is rewarding enough and then to be recognized for it is just over the top.”
Dredge shared a message of support for all victims of crime who may still be struggling.
“Be kind to yourself because it is a healing process and the path of healing can be messy, but it is beautiful,” Dredge said. “You just have to keep showing up day after day.”
The Buchanan County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has been honoring the victims of crime all week. Voices of Courage Child Advocacy Center hosted a community event and conference on Monday and Tuesday addressing child exploitation. On Wednesday, a small ceremony was held at the Crime Victims’ Memorial at the Remington Nature Center.
