December 1, 2014

GOV. MALLOY NAMES NATASHA PIERRE TO SERVE AS STATE VICTIM ADVOCATE

(HARTFORD, CT) - Governor Dannel P. Malloy today announced that he has named Natasha Pierre of Windsor to serve as the state's Victim Advocate.

Pierre currently serves as the Policy and Legislative Director for the state's Permanent Commission on the Status of Women (PCSW), helping to develop and implement the commission's legislative and policy agenda, and advocating for laws regarding gender and racial discrimination. She has also served on a number of statutorily-mandated commissions, including the Trafficking in Persons Council, the Taskforce on Domestic Violence on Immigrant Communities, the Commission on the Standardization of Evidence in Sexual Assault Investigations, and the Law Revision Commission's Domestic Violence Address Confidentiality Committee.

She was the first-choice selection made by the Victim Advocate Advisory Committee, a panel of seven members statutorily required to interview and consider candidates for the position of Victim Advocate and then provide recommendations to the Governor. The Governor must choose one of the panel's recommended candidates to fill the position.

"Attorney Pierre has extensive experience advocating for justice and fairness within all branches of government, the private sector, and nonprofit and community organizations, and I have no doubt that she will continue this advocacy in this important role where she will be responsible for working on behalf of victims to preserve their rights and needs," Governor Malloy said. "In recent years, both the Connecticut Constitution and our state's statutes have been amended to ensure that victims' rights are protected and that their concerns are addressed by all professionals within the criminal justice system. I look forward to working with her to continue these efforts and maintain our status as best in the nation when it comes to honoring and advancing crime victims' rights."

The state's Victim Advocate operates as the ombudsman for victims of crime within the criminal justice system and evaluates the delivery of state services to victims. Responsibilities also include recommending system-wide improvements to the General Assembly, working with private and public agencies to enforce the constitutional rights of victims, and filing appearances in court to advocate for victims.

"I am honored to be appointed to continue the legacy of my predecessors, and excited about working with an outstanding and dedicated staff to safeguard and advance victims' rights in Connecticut," Pierre said.

Before joining PCSW, Pierre was an attorney at Connecticut Legal Services, Inc. and Western Massachusetts Legal Services, Inc., where she practiced family and housing law. She earned a B.A. from the University of Connecticut with a major in women's studies, and a dual degree in law and social work from the University of Connecticut's Schools of Law and Social Work.

The Victim Advocate serves a four-year term. Pierre replaces Garvin Ambrose, who resigned during the summer to pursue a new professional opportunity.

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For Immediate Release: December 1, 2014

Facebook: Office of Governor Dannel P. Malloy