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CCA Grad Wins Award as Voice for Victims

Contributed by: Tracy Williams on 8/27/2007

(Aurora, CO) -- There are days when former Community College of Aurora (CCA) student Carole O'Shea would rather pull the covers over her head rather than witness the chaos that crime wreaks on citizens and communities - but that just isn't who she is.

O'Shea, a Victim's Services Coordinator for the Aurora Police Department (APD) recently received the Humanitarian Award for her work in the APD's Victim's Services Unit, works around the clock with victims of crime and their families.

It is a job she loves and has prepared for since her days studying criminal justice at CCA.

"The work of a victim's advocate is physically, emotionally and mentally exhausting," said Lt. Rick Brandt. "They are on call 24-7 and must become involved in some of the most difficult situations a person can imagine. But she was prepared and has been trained well for this level of dedication and commitment."

But it is hardly ever easy.

"I work in a program for drug-endangered kids as well," O'Shea said. "These can be children caught in the crosshairs when their parents are caught running methamphetamine labs."

In those situations, O'Shea and her staff must work with the Department of Social Services and other agencies to rescue those children and place them in safe homes.

"It is heartbreaking when you're faced with removing a child who may already be traumatized from their home, especially if they can't be placed with family members," O'Shea said.

"But with their safety and well-being as the top priority, you have to stay focused on that," she said.

O'Shea credits her staff and the 28 community volunteers that give their time with making her job a little easier.

"We couldn't do this without them," said. "They're presence gives us a diverse range of backgrounds, experiences and opinions, which helps us see every situation as unique."

O'Shea is accustomed to diverse environments and prepared for this role in her life back in the nineties as a CCA student.

"CCA is where it all started for me," O'Shea said.

O'Shea received a Certificate in Victim Services from CCA in 1993, and then earned her Associate of Applied Science degree in Criminal Justice in 1998. She transferred to Metro State where she received her four-year degree in 2000.

"I learned so much from the professionals in their fields that taught my classes," said O'Shea. "They not only inspired me, but I felt so supported and encouraged by the staff."

Upon graduation from Metro State, O'Shea was hired at the APD and assigned as a victim's advocate in Aurora's northwest district where she quickly achieved a reputation as an outstanding advocate.

In 2005, she was promoted to supervisor of the Victims Services unit.

Some of her other notable activities include working an extraordinary number of hours and days with the victims of Hurricane Katrina who were evacuated to Lowry AFB
She has also worked with the APD's "Cops Fighting Cancer" campaign and provides training to volunteer advocates in the areas of domestic violence, crisis intervention, safety and awareness for teens, and sexual assault.

"It has been a great but hard journey," she said.

'Hard' is hardly an adequate description according to O'Shea's supervisor, Lt. Rick Brandt.

"The work of a victim's advocate is physically, emotionally and mentally exhausting," he said. "They are on call 24-7 and must become involved in some of the most difficult situations a person can imagine. But she was prepared and has been trained well for this level of dedication and commitment.

O'Shea, however, remains up to the challenge having prepared for it ahead of time.

"I give CCA credit for moving me in the direction of a career in Victim Services."





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CONTRIBUTOR INFORMATION

Tracy Williams

Aurora , CO

Tracy Williams has posted 327 stories and 0 comments since joining on 1/2/2007. Tracy Williams 's average story rating is 5.
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