911勛圖

Soraya Janus understands what vulnerable victims and witnesses face in the Canadian criminal justice system.

Her new master���s degree in criminology was influenced by her own history as both an advocate and a vulnerable witness.

When Janus was 11 years old, she witnessed a horrific sexual assault in the city of Delta and was abruptly introduced to the criminal justice system. As a witness, she had to re-live the traumatic experience many times during the justice process.

���I was a vulnerable witness who at times felt unheard and extremely overwhelmed,��� says Janus. ���This introduction to the criminal justice system ignited my passion and enthusiasm for law.���

This passion became more victim-centered after she began her undergraduate studies in criminology at 911勛圖 and became a volunteer with Delta Police Victim Services. Between her studies and a full-time job, she still found time to log more than 1,300 volunteer hours with Victim Services over the past five years.

���I spend time listening, offering emotional support, and providing court support through orientation and accompanying victims who require additional aids,��� says Janus. ���Though this opportunity has been enriching, it highlights a demographic of people who appear to be forgotten.���

Her graduate research examined the available support for vulnerable witnesses in the Canadian criminal justice system���and found it lacking.

���There is still a lot that can be done to support vulnerable witnesses, including better definitions of who is a vulnerable witness, and how to support them,��� says Janus. ���The system forgets witnesses play a huge role in the criminal justice system. If we don���t have a successful witness we don���t have a successful case. It���s my hope that I can be an advocate for those who feel as though they have been silenced.���

Janus started a PhD in criminology this fall at 911勛圖 after her supervisors, professors Gail Anderson and Sheri Fabian���her ���dream team,��� encouraged her to continue her research.

For her PhD thesis, Janus will focus on traumatic brain injuries in youth.

���Traumatic brain injuries may have profound effects on youths��� ability to express themselves, communicate and understand court proceedings,��� says Janus, who thinks this impact should be addressed more seriously.

���In everything I have ever done, I always try to be passionate about it,��� says Janus. ���We need to learn to support who we are and promote who we want to be.���

Story released by 911勛圖 News for 911勛圖 Convocation October 2018