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Mothers On a Mission to Stop Violence (MOMSV) was founded in April of 2008 by Denise Rotheimer, whose daughter Jasmine was the victim of a violent crime at age 11. MOMSV is dedicated to raising awareness of child sexual violence and working to strengthen the laws to better protect all children.
Arising from the treatment she received in her daugther's case, Denise learned that crime victims in Illinois have to function as their own advocates... their rights are rarely explained and there is no mechanism to enforce these rights.
In 2004 and 2006, State Representative Churchill sponsored legislation to amend the Crime Victims' Right Act based on Rotheimer's criteria; eliminate the provision that denies crime victims the right to legal recourse when their rights are violated, allow crime victims the right to appellate relief, and mandate the State's Attorneys Office to obtain a signature by the crime victim as evidence that he or she received a copy of their rights. Both House Bills died in the rules committee.
Denise later proposed the Survivor's Rights Act, which would provide pro bono legal representation, provide for appellate relief for victims and witnesses as well as mandate sign off sheet to ensure that victims are informed of their rights.
Denise went on to propose Jasmine's Law. Its provisions would add an additional 11 years for sex crimes against children, add 11 years where the offender supplied alcohol during a sex crime against a child and provide a victim rights sign off sheet. Through Denise's hard work and diligence, the Illinois State Senate just passed a version of Jasmine's Law that will enable a judge to double the sentence given to an offender where alcohol was involved.
Denise is also the founder and host of the cable television show, "Enforce Justice", which she began in November of 2009 and she continues to produce. Denise also recently began "Authors in Action", which represents author/activists promoting awareness on health and safety issues affecting survivors of violent crime.
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