Sedona’s Jamelah Carswell Advocates for Crime Victims’ Rights

During a recent meeting at the Community Library Sedona, Jamelah Carswell, the Sedona Police Department’s first victim advocate, shared insights into her role with the Rotary Club of Sedona Red Rocks. Carswell, who began her position in November, focuses on assisting victims of domestic violence, assault, and fraud.

Her responsibilities include connecting victims with crucial resources, providing updates on their cases, and accompanying them to court. Furthermore, Carswell is training to become a background investigator for SPD staff, expanding her impact within the department.

“The criminal justice system can also be traumatizing,” Carswell noted. She emphasized that while the system is often more concerned with the defendant, her role is to create a supportive environment for victims. “We’re really here to try to reduce that trauma and give them a safe space.”

In Arizona, victim advocates like Carswell are committed to supporting individuals without delving into investigative duties. State law protects the confidentiality of communications between victims and advocates, except in specific circumstances, such as child abuse disclosures or exculpatory evidence related to the accused.

“There are some exceptions,” Carswell explained, stressing the need for reporting in certain cases. Unlike larger cities, where roles might be divided, Carswell handles various aspects of victim advocacy, fostering trust by being the constant point of contact.

When reaching out to victims, Carswell utilizes multiple channels. She monitors daily briefings for relevant reports, responds directly to victim communications, and engages on-site during crisis situations. “For felony cases, I typically have less involvement because the counties have their own victim advocates,” she said, while remaining available to step in if needed.

Her involvement deepens in misdemeanor financial crime cases, where she connects victims with specialized resources like the AARP Fraud Watch Network. “Unfortunately, I see a lot of impersonation cases,” Carswell noted, highlighting the growing concern of scams involving impersonators, including those using advanced technology.

Supporting this concern, Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office volunteer fraud investigator Ron Norfleet mentioned that the office has been receiving approximately one report daily of scams in which callers pose as law enforcement.

Rotary Changes

The meeting also marked a transition in leadership for the Rotary Club, with John Johns stepping down as president in favor of incoming president Jill Bradshaw. “Being relatively new to Rotary, it was a big learning experience for me,” Johns said, reflecting on his four-year journey with the organization. He expressed satisfaction in growing and energizing the club since he and his wife joined it as newcomers to the area.

“We didn’t really know anybody and met a lot of people. We’ve loved it here and enjoy working with the community,” Johns added, emphasizing the positive experiences gained through his involvement in Rotary.