VOICE

A Letter From VOICE President Catalene Theriot

"My name is Catalene Bilodeau Theriot and my only child, Carl "Dean" Theriot Jr. was brutally murdered on April 19, 1994. That day I thought my life was over and it is an experience no one should have to go through. After weeks and months everyone thought I should be back to "normal", but what they did not know was life would never be normal again.

I got very interested in the justice system wanting to know how it worked and sometimes how it did not. I now listened to the news and every crime was important to me, but when I heard of a murder it really hit home. I would often call or visit the victim's family.

I decided with other families of victims there was a need for us to unite as one. Therefore, on June 20, 2002, VOICE was formed. We wanted to make sure victims of crime and their families had a place and someone to be there for them.

VOICE is a unique group, but it is a club no one should have to belong to because of the circumstances that brings you to that point. Unfortunately, we are always having new members to join and more will come in the future. We give freedom to victims and families to speak comfortably with others who do not sympathize but empathize with the speaker. If you have not walked in our shoes, you really do not understand the bond we share with one another; we are like one big family. We can use each other for a sounding board if needed and let our anger and frustration out.

A few facts we have learned through our process: 

(a) There is no such thing as closure, it is just a word; we wish the media would understand that. 

(b) People do not want to bring up our loved one's name, they think it will hurt us, but please do. We want to talk about our loved one we lost; we do not want them to be forgotten.

On March 24, 2005 I traveled to Angola State Penitentiary, with my two trained facilitators to visit with the man that murdered my son. This was possible through the Victim Offender Dialogue with the Department of Corrections. I believe this is a very powerful program, though a victim or their family should be in the right place in their life before they try the program. Offenders that participate receive no tangible benefits such as sentence reduction or early parole.

I also speak at different facilities that house prisoners shortly before their release on the impact of the crime they have committed. I want them to know it has a snowball effect, a lot of people in an individual’s life are also affected and in some cases the choice you made cannot be corrected. When I speak it helps me to heal from the horrendous pain of losing my son, Dean. I also realize that when I can effectively change another person's life while incarcerated, then maybe when they are released, they won't continue on the same path they have been on."

Voices of Innocent Citizens Empowered (V.O.I.C.E.) was formed on June 20, 2002 by families of victims so that victims of crime and their families would have a welcoming place and someone to be there for them. 

VOICES OF INNOCENT CITIZENS EMPOWERED

MISSION STATEMENT

VOICE is a non-profit support group for victims of crime and their families for the State of Louisiana.

VOICE is a group united by the feeling of loss, a common bond of pain, yet a group connected by hope.

VOICE is committed to providing positive attitudes necessary to address crime related issues, especially as those issues relate to innocent crime victims and families. 

VOICE will provide understanding, respect, and assistance to the victims of crime. 

VOICE works closely with the Legislature by coordinating and reviewing new and changing legislation affecting victims’ rights. 

VOICE meets every fourth Thursday of the month on the second floor of the Iberia Parish Courthouse from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Membership is FREE.

There is a Christmas gathering in December as well as a Traveling Christmas Tree with photos of crime victims.  

A victims’ rally is held every years during National Crime Victims’ Rights Week. 

Anyone interested in attending is asked to contact Catalene Theriot, President, at (337) 577-5088 (cell) or (337) 551-4260 (work) or by e-mail at catalene01@aol.com 

UNTIL IT HAPPENS TO YOU

ACHIEVEMENTS

• Wednesday April 21, 2004 was recognized as VOICE Day in the Louisiana House of Representatives.
• VOICE passed HB 877 which provides with respect to victim impact statements. This new legislation was first used for the family of Geralyn Desoto in the Derrick Todd Lee case. 
• VOICE was instrumental in passing HB 586 to change the penalty for vehicular homicide from 20 years to 30 years.
• VOICE stopped HB307 from even going into House Committee which would have reduced the penalty for second degree murder.
• VOICE testified on HB 580 to create Louisiana Task Force on Violent Crime Against Women.
• VOICE helped stopped HB122, which would have allowed Juvenile Lifers to be released at age of 31, from passing.
• VOICE has taken trips to Angola State Penitentiary, FACES Laboratory at LSU, Acadiana Crime Lab.
• VOICE had lunch at the Governor's mansion and visited the State Capitol while in session.
• September 25, 2007 - VOICE held the first Remembrance of Murdered Victims with a candlelight ceremony on the steps of the state Capitol.
• VOICE testified against Justice Reinvestment.
• August 2017 - President Catalene Theriot was awarded Exceptional Victim Advocate Award from the National Organization for Victim Assistance (NOVA) in San Diego, California.