b'LIFESTYLECrystal Salley: LIFESTYLEHelping Victims on SC HighwaysBy Debra A. YoungAccording to the South Carolina DepartmentWhenthepositionopenedatSCDPS,Crystal ofPublicSafety(SCDPS),therewereoversaidshewasexcitedtoapply.Withdegreesin 890fatalcrashesand957personskilledonsocialworkandcriminaljustice,amastersin SCroadwaysthusfarinpublicadministration,andyears 2022.Thisnumberdoesofexperienceatstateagencies, notincludepeoplewhoCrystal was well-equipped for the wereseriouslyinjuredinjob.Crystal says she pursued the crashes.Haveyoueverposition because she felt she could thoughtaboutwhoisdomoreforindividualsandthe thereforthosefamilycommunity.Victimsandloved memberswhoareleftonesfeellostanddontknow behindandfacingonewhere to turn.They need to know ofthemostdevastatingsomeonecares,andtheyneed timesoftheirlives?someonetoshowthemwhatto Thankfully,theyhaveando and where to get help, Crystal advocate in Crystal Salley,explained.I felt that I could do S.C.HighwayPatrolmore for them in this position to VictimServicesManager.guidethemtoneededhelpand Crystalexplainedthatresources.while SCDPS and all law enforcementdepartmentsVictims and loved ones feel lost andCrystalseesherroleasbeing havevictimadvocates,dont know where to turn. They needavoiceforvictimsandtheir uniformedofficersto know someone cares, and they needfamilies.Inadditionto usuallyserveinthisrole.someone to show them what to do andmanagerialresponsibilities,she However,Crystalpointedwhere to get help.Crystal Salleyworks hands-on with victims and outthatSCDPSrecentlyfamilymembers.Shesayssheis restructureditsvictimon-calltwenty-fourhoursaday, advocateprogramtorecruitcivilianswithseven days a week to assist families and victims of social work backgrounds.Crystal was excitedtraffic-related crimes and collisions.The assistance to learn about the change because she saw thatsheprovidestofamiliesisimmediateandin-many victims were intimidated by officers andperson. She guides them through the legal process, hesitant to work with them.In her opinion,helpingthemtounderstandprocedures,laws,and victimsaremorecomfortableworkingwithregulations. Even though it can be a lengthy and socialworkerswhilestillhavingaccesstostressful process (sometimes years), Crystal says she officers.isthereforthemincourtwhentheymustfacea criminal offender for as long as it takes.26IMARA'