TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) -- In Tallahassee, survivors of crime, faith based leaders, and advocates gathered to share their stories.
Attendees asked for lawmakers to put the voices of victims at the center of conversations around criminal policy. Leaders saying they want greater investments in community health, rehabilitation, and preventive programs.
We spoke with Aswad Thomas, a victim of gun violence who was shot twice in his back in 2009. He shared the importance of support for people dealing with similar trauma.
"I didn't get access to any help. The hospital didn't do any follow up calls. Law enforcement didn't give me any follow up calls just to ask me how are you doing? Are you ok? Are you taking your medication? In the trauma recovery centers to me like the idea and the model. If you can't come out to get services then they bring services to your home", said Thomas.
The vigil today was organized by crime survivors for safety and justice and the alliance for safety and justice.
