Thanks for the question, Michelle.
Yes, I would agree. That's actually what the research has talked about, too. In fact, information is what they call the “gateway” to all of the other pieces and needs when it comes to addressing victims of crime. It's not just information about what's available out there, but once something happens, information is the groundwork that victims need for empowerment to feel like they have some level of control in the process that they have now embarked on.
As we know with domestic violence, because of mandatory charging, oftentimes there's a whole level and all these steps that are happening without a victim's input or involvement. This is all for the safety of the victim and the children, of course. Because of that mandatory charge piece, information is huge, so they can have an appreciation of what they can expect from this process.