April 23, 2006
Shelbyville, Indiana
Bettina Puckett, Staff Writer, Shelbyville News
Fixing whatever one would like for dinner is not something most people think about; they just do it.
But one physically and emotionally abused woman recently telephoned Crystal Tumey, Shelby County ’s victim
assistance coordinator, to tell her that she had actually gone to the grocery store and selected what she wanted
to prepare for supper.
It may have been a small victory, but it was a significant one for the woman who had finally left her husband
“after he beat her one too many times,” Tumey told a group of about 35 people who gathered Sunday at 7 p.m.
on the Shelby County Courthouse lawn to commemorate the start of National Crime Victims’ Rights week.
The wife had dealt with physical and psychological abuse over the years, being constantly afraid that even
cooking the wrong thing for supper would set off her husband. Finally, she mustered the strength to walk away,
and she wanted to share her moment of courage and independence with Tumey.
Tumey said that before she took the job of being the county victim assistance coordinator, she would never have
understood the significance of that small success story. But now she understands fully how the woman
appreciates “not having to worry about getting smacked around,” she said.
“Courage isn’t this thing that roars,” Tumey said. “It’s a small voice that says, ‘I’ll begin again tomorrow.’”
Shelby County Prosecutor Kent Apsley told those gathered that it was appropriate to honor the victims of crimes
for at least one night per year. Criminals get an abundance of rights and privileges 365 days a year, including “all
the free lawyers they need,” he said.
“Crime victims have a right to be treated with fairness, dignity and respect,” Apsley said.
Many of the family members and friends of people in Shelby County who have been murdered or otherwise
victimized attend the candlelight observance each year. Many of them know one another through the heartbreaks
they have suffered. And some travel here from other counties to participate in the reverent ceremony.
“I look around, and I see survivors,” Apsley said. “I see people who have made a real impact on everyone’s life.
These are people who have taken their tragedies and have turned them around.”
National Crime Victims’ Rights Week began Sunday. Since 1981, communities across the country have observed
the special week. This year’s theme is “Victims’ Rights: Strength in Unity.”
Sunday’s guest speaker was David Farr, who owns The Sanctuary of Shelbyville, 137 E. Washington St., with his
wife, Kari. The sanctuary is a faith-based transitional home for domestic violence victims in Shelby County .
Farr said that one in four Shelby County women, between the ages of 18 and 65, have been victimized by
domestic violence.
The sanctuary will help provide food, clothing and temporary housing to domestic violence victims. Along with the
help of Turning Point and other local support, the sanctuary will soon be ready to open its doors. “We can’t do
this alone,” Farr said.
Ten efficiency apartments are now being built. “Contractors are now working to finish the first of these
apartments,” he said.
“God continues to bless us every day,” Farr said. “Together we can make a difference.”
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