Crime victims often enter the Dallas County justice system at one of the worst moments of their lives. Too many are then left waiting for returned calls, scrambling to learn why a court date changed or trying to navigate a process no one has adequately explained. A prosecution can be legally sound and still leave victims feeling lost and alone in the system.
Candidate Eric Reed believes Dallas County can and should do better. Victim services should be central to the work of the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office, not treated as an administrative function at the periphery of a case.
“Victim services are not a courtesy, and they are not public relations. They are a core responsibility of the District Attorney’s Office. If victims cannot get a returned call or a straight answer about their case, the office is failing the very people it is supposed to serve,” Eric Reed said.
The Alliance for Safety and Justice surveyed more than 4,000 Americans, including 752 crime victims, and found that fewer than one in three survivors received financial, medical or mental-health support during recovery. Only 18% reported receiving help from police and 16% from prosecutors. Those findings underscore why victim referrals, reliable communication and access to services cannot be treated as secondary responsibilities within a District Attorney’s Office.
Further, survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, trafficking and elder abuse often face different risks. A one-size-fits-all response is not enough.
Reed said that victims deserve timely information, a reliable point of contact and a clear explanation of what prosecutors can—and cannot—do. They should understand major case developments, know when hearings are scheduled and receive referrals for counseling, compensation, safety planning and other assistance without having to navigate a maze of offices on their own.
As district attorney, Eric Reed would strengthen continuity in victim communication so that people are not repeatedly handed from one employee to another without explanation. The office should establish clear standards for returning calls, providing case updates and notifying victims about meaningful changes. Prosecutors and advocates should coordinate from the beginning of a case rather than waiting until a crisis or trial date.
The office would also make services accessible. Dallas County is diverse, and victims may face language barriers, disabilities, transportation problems, financial instability or fear of retaliation. The District Attorney’s Office should maintain strong referral relationships with local service providers and ensure that information is available in commonly spoken languages and accessible formats. Reed would also expect the office to seek feedback from victims and local service organizations.
A District Attorney’s Office cannot erase what happened to a victim. It can decide what happens next and whether the person is heard, information is dependable and the pursuit of justice adds confusion or restores trust. Dallas County deserves an office that keeps victims at the center of the pursuit of justice.
“Victims should never feel like evidence stored in a case file,” Eric Reed said. “They are people who have endured harm and placed their trust in the justice system. Our responsibility is to communicate honestly, protect their rights and make sure they are not left to find their way through the process alone.”
About Eric Reed for District Attorney:
Eric Reed is a Dallas trial attorney and former prosecutor with more than three decades of experience in criminal law, federal and tribal courts, and complex litigation. He is running as a write-in candidate for Dallas County District Attorney on a commitment to Promote Public Safety • Demand Fairness • Ensure Accountability.
To vote for Eric Reed, select the write-in option in the Dallas County District Attorney race and enter the name Eric Reed.
For more information, visit www.WriteinReed.com.
Media Contact:
media@writeinreed.com
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